the wolf king’s mate

MARKED BENEATH THE MOON

LOLA GLASS

contents

Author’s Note/Warning

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Epilogue

Afterthoughts

Stay in Touch

All Books by Lola Glass

About the Author

Copyright © 2025 Lola Glass

authorlolaglass.com

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author’s imagination.

Cover by Francesca Michelon

https://www.merrybookround.com/

To my biggest fan Britney and her sister with the awesome jokes ;P you really did make my day!

And to my endless werewolf obsession, because who knows where I’d be without it at this point

author’s note/warning

This book focuses on an extremely possessive alpha male and a woman with a difficult past. None of the past trauma is very detailed, but there is trauma explained, and our main man is definitely a violent asshole. So, read at your own risk <3

one

ASPEN

I HELD my breath as I sprayed myself with far too much perfume. Fletcher, my brother, watched from the doorway. His arms were folded, and the concerned crease between his eyes looked deeper than usual.

He was the biggest werewolf I’d ever met, and none of us came in size small. Including me.

Fletcher and I had the same light skin and brown hair, though his was cut short and I’d had mine highlighted to match most of the human women who lived with the pack.

I needed to blend in, even though the bleach had smelled so bad my eyes stung for days afterward.

“Just spit out whatever you’re thinking, Fletch,” I said.

He was silent for a moment.

I waited.

He finally spoke. “You know running is a risk. Your scent gets stronger when you sweat.”

“Everything is a risk.”

Fletcher grunted in agreement. “Maybe this is one you should reconsider taking.”

“If I stop running, my wolf is going to break through my skin and show herself to the world. Running keeps her satisfied enough to stay quiet. Stopping isn’t an option.”

“I’ll start going with you.”

“Your pack already thinks we’re weirdly codependent.” Fletcher was the Alpha of the second largest pack in Crimson River, which kept me safe. Our city was packed full of werewolves, who usually only came in the male variety. Which was why I was in danger.

Being a female werewolf made me a fluke. And in a city full of wolves, that was far from ideal.

“We are weirdly codependent,” he grumbled. “And it’s the only reason you’re still alive and free.”

Free was a loose description of my life, but it wasn’t technically untrue.

I set my perfume down and started braiding my hair back. “I never said it wasn’t. But you know it would make people ask questions if you started running with me.”

He ran a hand through his hair, spiking the short strands up in the process. “If the king catches your scent…”

“He doesn’t run through our part of the forest,” I said firmly.

We didn’t need to talk about that.

If the werewolf king caught my scent beneath the perfume, he’d realize what I was, and he would do one of two things.

He would either force me to join his pack—he collected strong werewolves like they were prizes—or he would lock me up and let his scientists experiment on me.

Probably the latter.

“You don’t understand,” Fletcher growled. “You haven’t met him. He’s fucking unhinged.”

He had been trying to get Fletcher to join his pack since we were teenagers. Fletch was the strongest wolf left in the city outside the king’s pack. They were known as the Savage Pack, and they killed first, asked questions later. They also ran the city’s law enforcement, along with who knew what else.

“I believe you, but he doesn’t run in our forest. We would smell him.” I tied the end of my braid and stood up.

The only way I was ever going to be truly safe was if I left Crimson River. But living with the humans would literally drive my wolf insane, so that wasn’t an option any more than handing myself over to the king was.

Someone knocked on the door of the cabin Fletcher and I shared.

“Fletch?” A woman’s voice called out.

I grimaced.

It was Fiona, one of the pack’s groupies. Because werewolves were always born male, and tended to be both bigger and more attractive than human men, some human women came to our city and clung to our men.

The women who were born among wolves like I was were equal members of our society. They were just called pack women, or pack females.

Groupies were typically women who clung to a pack and went from wolf to wolf without care as to how much drama they caused. And they always caused drama.

Fiona had exclusively dated seven other men in the pack for differing periods of time before turning her attention to Fletcher. She hadn’t managed to convince him to sleep with her yet, but she was determined. If Fletch wasn’t so entirely focused on keeping me safe, I was pretty sure he would’ve given in to her advances already. She was beautiful, and even though she caused drama, she was usually nice.

When I glanced over at him, I found him gritting his teeth.

She always pissed him off. Alphas were usually against anything that caused drama—when they weren’t actively screwing it.

“We’re starting lunch!” Fiona called out.

Fletcher made a noise of frustration.

He didn’t particularly like being Alpha, even though I knew he loved the pack more than he wanted to admit. It was his, and he’d worked hard to make it that way.

“Go. I’ll be careful, and bring extra perfume. Like always,” I said. “It’s the middle of the day, so I’ll be fine. The same way I always am.”

He ran a hand through his hair before finally agreeing.

“Don’t stay out too long,” he growled, as he headed down the hall. There was dominance behind the words, which was an alpha wolf’s power. It felt a little like electricity. The command would’ve worked on most people, because he was insanely strong. But my wolf didn’t answer to anyone.

Not even me, most of the time.

So, the zap of his magic rolled right off me.

I zipped a thin jacket over my sports bra. It was early September, which in the mountains, meant it was starting to get cold for humans. And I was supposed to be human.

I’d tie the fabric around my waist as soon as I was on the trail, but no one in the pack would know that.

Finally ready to go, I tucked another small perfume bottle in my pocket and shut my bedroom door behind me. Fletcher’s was across the hall, and already closed.

The Alpha usually lived in his packhouse with a good portion of his pack, but Fletcher wasn’t willing to leave me alone or risk having me stay with everyone else.

I slipped out the back door and down the trail just outside. I’d been down it every day for the entire five years I’d spent with the Creek Pack. Sometimes two, three, or four times a day. It connected to a web of other trails, and the easy access from our doorstep was a huge part of the reason Fletch and I picked that particular cabin.

“Aspen!” Lucas called from behind me.

I wrestled my snarling wolf, fighting the urge to snap my teeth myself.

Neither of us liked the bastard. He wasn’t terrible—he was the closest thing to a friend Fletcher had ever had, so I forced myself to try to like him. He was also Fletcher’s Beta, which meant he was one of two people who helped my brother run the pack.

But he was interested in me. Romantically.

Which was obviously a problem.

“Hey.” Lucas jogged up to me, flashing me a flirty grin that I ignored. If I acted too friendly, he took it as a sign that I wanted him too. “Want some company on your run?”

“You know I like to run alone.”

“One of these days, you’re going to change your mind,” he said, keeping pace with me.

“Bye, Lucas.”

“Bye, Gorgeous.”

I rubbed my chest, hoping it would soothe my wolf’s fury.

It didn’t.

He finally left as I picked up the pace.

My wolf snarled at me as I started to jog. The sky was dark, so it’d probably start raining soon. We were in the stormy season, so that was unavoidable.

I’d be fine, of course. A werewolf’s magic prevented most sicknesses, and made us run hotter than most humans, so we were rarely cold.

“I know. We’re not going to mate with him,” I murmured under my breath to the beast trapped inside me. She and I couldn’t communicate with words, but we didn’t really need to. We could sense each other constantly, regardless of which form we were in.

The tightness in my shoulders eased slightly as I jogged down the trail, focusing on my feet. Running wasn’t as good as shifting, for either of us, but it was safe. And my wolf did seem to understand our need to keep her hidden, thankfully. We could rarely shift, but she had never tried to force her way out.

I settled into my run, taking my favorite trail for the first time in two weeks. I rotated them without a schedule, so no one would know where to wait for me if they were waiting. They weren’t, but it didn’t hurt to be careful.

As my heart and feet pounded the dirt, my body relaxed further.

I was fine.

Life was good. Or decent, at least.

People would realize I wasn’t aging the way a human should in the next few years, but we had time. I would figure out a way to live among the humans without losing my mind. It would all work out.

And hey, things could’ve been much worse.

I could’ve had to work fast food, like some of the average-sized packs. Because Fletcher’s pack was so strong, we all worked for the Alpha King, maintaining the massive expanse of forest the human government had given us.

I could’ve been locked up and used for my gift, which I had to keep quiet even more than my wolf.

I could’ve been trapped and studied by either human or were scientists.

All in all, things were going well. I didn’t get to shift often, but that was okay.

I was—

My nostrils flared as I caught a strong, male scent.

I smelled male wolves on the trails often. Saw them now and then, too. I never ran as fast as I could, and spritzed myself with the perfume often enough to hide my wolf’s scent.

But I’d never smelled a man that strongly before.

A wolf’s dominance was what made their scent stronger. My brother stank worse than most.

But this smell was really, really bad.

Which was far from a good sign.

I sprayed myself with perfume quickly, skidding to a stop as I heard branches break off to my right. Whoever the man was, he was being loud on purpose to warn me that he was there. He wouldn’t do that if he was going to attack.

And male werewolves never attacked women. We were humans. Weaker than them. Defenseless.

I wasn’t, of course, but he couldn’t know that.

I didn’t dare turn around, forcing my wolf to stay down. I tried to calm the pounding in my chest as I turned around, lifting my hands with the perfume clutched in one of my palms. “I’m just out for a run,” I said, ignoring the beat in my head. “My brother leads the Creek Pack. He taught me to cover my scent to avoid catching interest. I mean no harm.”

Despite my words and effort, my heartbeat didn’t slow.

Usually, the wolves I bumped into just ran next to me while I jogged. They were friendly. Polite. They always left space between us. Wolves just liked having company.

The wolf with the strong scent finally stepped through the forest, and my gaze landed on him.

I inhaled sharply.

Holy fuck, he was huge.

Bigger than Fletcher, with a pure black coat and piercing green eyes.

He had to be part of the king trio.

All packs were led by three wolves. An Alpha, his Beta, and his Gamma. All wolves had their own rankings, too, but those were the only official pack roles. The king was a triplet, and his two brothers were the other part of his trio.

If this was the Alpha King, or one of his brothers…

Well, then I had no idea what I was supposed to do. Or if there even was anything I could do.

They had enhanced hearing. Enhanced senses of smell. Enhanced everything.

And I’d just been sweating.

If he’d been following me for long enough, he might’ve caught my natural scent. I kept it hidden with perfume, body wash, and deodorant, but I had no idea if that was enough to conceal the way I smelled from the king or his brothers.

Even my wolf curled back, uncertain of what to do.

My heart beat faster.

Ba-dum.

Ba-dum.

Ba-dum.

It was so violent, I could hear it in my head.

The giant wolf cocked his gigantic head to the side, and the beast within me decided we needed to bolt.

I gritted my teeth, holding her back.

The last thing we needed was to make the king suspicious. The king and his brothers were the people who would use me or kill me, if they realized what I could do.

But they didn’t have to realize what I could do.

Hopefully, they didn’t have to realize what I was, either.

“I don’t mean any harm,” I repeated, lifting my arms a little higher when the wolf didn’t do anything after a solid minute.

Finally, he shifted.

I let out a shuddered breath as the most beautiful man I’d ever seen replaced the gigantic black wolf. He was massive, made of pure, thick muscle in a way very few wolves—only the strongest ones—ever were.

His skin was naturally tan. His hair was chocolate-brown and a little curly, falling over his eyes but only managing to partially conceal three thick scars that ran through one entire side of his face, over a bright green eye that was still intact despite whatever horror he’d apparently survived.

I wasn’t going to look at his abdomen, or his flaccid cock. Nope. Wasn’t going there.

…but if I did, it would’ve been proportional. Very proportional.

“Why do you smell like a wolf?” he asked, his voice low and tense.

There was no interest. It was just a demand.

Shit.

My wolf shrank further.

We agreed that we were screwed.

“I spend time around a lot of wolves,” I said.

His nostrils flared. “You’re not lying, but that doesn’t explain the scent. You don’t smell like a male wolf.”

If the king trio could sniff out lies, I wasn’t just screwed. I was fucked.

If I said I had a mate or something, he’d know I was lying. If I admitted the truth, he could kill me.

Or take me.

Neither option was appealing, so I said nothing.

Instead, I reached for my wolf.

Could we outrun him?

Probably not.

And running was a bad call if we couldn’t get away. The king trio wouldn’t be able to use their dominance on me, since it didn’t affect anything, but the guy was so much bigger than me that he wouldn’t need dominance.

He took a step toward me.

I took a step away.

We both did the same again, and again.

His legs were longer than mine, so he was making up ground slowly.

His hands went up, matching mine. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I can’t sniff out a lie like you can.”

His eyes flashed. “You know what that means?”

“I told you, my brother’s the Creek Alpha. I’m constantly around wolves.” I hoped dropping Fletcher’s name would help me somehow. It probably wouldn’t, but it was worth a try.

“Your brother is Fletcher Keys?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve never heard anything about him having a sister.”

“I can’t imagine the Alpha King and his brothers keep track of pack women or groupies.”

His eyes narrowed. “You know who I am. How?”

We were still doing our slow, tense dance.

And he was still gaining on me.

I barely dodged a tree, nearly trapping myself.

“You’re bigger than Fletch. There should only be three wolves bigger than him,” I explained quickly.

Big, Dark, and Sexy paused.

I kept moving backward, though I slowed a little more, so I wouldn’t set him off.

The guy finally said, “Most of our pack is the same size as Fletcher, or just a fraction smaller. All of the strong alphas join us.”

He said “our” pack. He couldn’t have been the king. Fletcher never would’ve referred to his pack as anything other than his pack.

“I didn’t know,” I said. It was true enough not to tell him I was lying. I hadn’t known that their pack was full of gigantic men, even if I had known that most strong alpha wolves joined them.

The man suddenly started moving again—and covered the distance between us so fast, I didn’t have time to move.

His hand wrapped around my wrist. His grip wasn’t gentle, but it wasn’t painful either.

He inhaled deeply, his forehead creasing as he took in a lungful of my awful-smelling perfume. He coughed, but the crease didn’t fade. “Who are you?”

“I told you, I’m the Creek Alpha’s sister.” It was taking a lot of energy to keep my voice even.

“What are you?”

I didn’t answer.

I couldn’t answer.

“Tell me the truth, or you’re coming back to my pack with me.” He held my gaze with something that felt like a dare.

But he was going to take me back to his pack either way. If I told him the truth, he might realize I had something more to hide. I needed to act like being a female werewolf was my biggest secret.

I pressed my lips together.

The guy growled, grabbed me by the waist, and threw me over his shoulder.

Then he took off at a jog down my favorite trail.

two

ASPEN

IT TOOK every ounce of control I had not to let my wolf turn my hands into claws and tear up the king’s brother’s back. If his hands strayed anywhere other than the backs of my knees, where they were currently located, I wasn’t going to be able to stop her.

But his hands didn’t stray.

He only took my trail for a few minutes before he turned down another one I knew well. It connected with a dirt road eventually.

Sure enough, we reached a dirt road ten minutes later. A doorless, roofless, offroad Jeep painted bright blue was parked right where we stepped out.

The king’s brother must’ve contacted the driver mentally, and the driver must’ve been nearby to reach us that fast. Their pack wasn’t located anywhere near the place I liked to run.

The Alpha Trio of every pack could communicate mentally with all of their wolves. I’d never experienced it, because I’d never actually been a part of a pack, but I knew it could be useful.

“Since when do we abduct groupies?” the guy in the driver’s seat asked, surprise evident in his voice.

My captor grunted. “Just drive.”

I hoped he’d throw me in the back seat or something. My wolf could survive a jump from a car moving fairly fast with minimal injuries, and she might be able to get away from the king’s brother.

Instead, he sat me on the middle console, with one thick arm around my waist.

I grabbed the bar over my head to stay upright as the driver peeled down the road.

He yelled, “This is a bad idea! If you bring a groupie to the Lodge, there will be challenges!”

“Do you smell sex on her?” my captor called back.

The guy shoved his head against my arm and sniffed.

I leaned away, but not before he gagged. “All I can smell is perfume.”

“I’m a pack female,” I said. “My brother is the Creek Alpha.”

The guy jerked his head back, looking at the king’s brother. “Seriously? Why’d you steal Fletcher’s sister? Everyone knows how protective he is of her.”

“Just get us back,” the king’s brother said.

The guy didn’t look convinced, but saluted him anyway.

AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, I was thoroughly covered in dirt and long-past overstimulated from the uncomfortably tight arm still wrapped around my waist.

When we finally turned down a road and through a gate, relief made my shoulders sag. The gate wasn’t labeled, but it had to be the Lodge the Jeep’s driver had mentioned.

We turned once, and again, before I finally saw the Lodge through the trees.

My eyes widened.

I had thought Fletcher’s pack was big, with its gigantic three-story packhouse and the extra few dozen cabins built around it. But the Creek pack had literally nothing on the king’s.

Their Lodge was monstrous. Seven floors tall, and made of gorgeous, thick wood and rock, it stretched on for ages before turning. The walkways were made of stone that complimented the lodges, and the windows and doors fit the look of everything else.

It looked far more like a rustic resort than it resembled a house.

“How many people live here?” I asked. I wasn’t sure who I was talking to. My captor, or his driver.

“They stopped sharing the number after five hundred,” the driver said. “That was twenty years ago.”

That was way more wolves than I could even imagine one man keeping a hold of. Fletcher was strong, but his three hundred was considered a lot, and he had no interest in taking more wolves.

The king’s brother grunted, then lifted me out of the Jeep and stepped back smoothly. Instead of carrying me again, he set me on my feet and put his hand on my shoulder. When he propelled me toward the large front doors, my gaze landed on two guys who looked just like him.

They must’ve stepped outside a moment earlier, because I hadn’t seen them at first glance. They weren’t the kind of men who could go unnoticed.

I looked between them quickly, trying to find differences.

Neither of them had scars on their faces like my captor did. His hair was curlier than either of theirs, too. One of them had wilder, longer hair. The other had hair that was shorter and done artfully with gel.

While my captor was absolutely naked and hadn’t bothered even putting pants on, the one with the fancier hair had on a pair of expensive-looking jeans and a blue button-up shirt. The wilder one wore nothing but pair of gray sweats.

As my abductor led me closer, I realized the true difference between them.

The wild one radiated dominance the way a fire radiated heat. His magic packed an insane, intense punch. It was so strong that the air around him felt thicker.

There would be no confusing him with the others.

And my captor had the scar, so I wouldn’t mix the other two up at all, even if they looked mostly identical otherwise.

The guy who’d abducted me finally stopped in front of his brothers.

A moment of silence passed.

They were all clearly communicating mentally, though all of their gazes were fixed on me.

“Am I allowed to know why we stole Fletcher’s sister yet?” the driver asked, wandering over to us.

“No. Keep it to yourself until I make an announcement,” the king said, his eyes never leaving me.

My wolf lifted her chin, sort of preening beneath the men’s attention.

She thought they knew what we were.

I thought so too.

Finally, the king grabbed my waist. His brother let go and stepped back. He turned me smoothly, so my back was to his bare chest, and walked me into the building.

I didn’t try to dig my heels in. If he tried to hurt me, rape me, or kill me, I would. Definitely. With everything I had. But until I knew what they wanted with me, there was no point in fighting. There wasn’t any way I could beat one of them, let alone three.

We passed gorgeous, architectural structures and beautiful wooden beams as we wove through the massive building. Every man we passed stared at us like I was an alien or something. I hoped they were looking at the men behind me, but knew that was a pipe dream.

They didn’t know why I was there.

I wasn’t part of their pack, or one of their groupies.

They were staring at me.

We didn’t pass any women, but I was too tense to think anything of that.

Finally, I was led inside a spacious, studio apartment that clearly belonged to someone. The sheets on the bed were tangled. There were clothes laying haphazardly on a few pieces of furniture. A towel on the floor. Shoes left lazily by the door.

Terror clutched me.

There was only one reason they’d bring me to someone’s room.

Finally, I dug in my heels. “Don’t hurt me. My brother will attack you. It’ll upset the packs and unbalance the city. People will talk. You—”

“No one’s going to hurt you,” the Alpha behind me growled.

I opened my mouth to say something, to fight for my life somehow. Before I had the chance, the Alpha walked me into a ginormous shower made of rustic-looking stone.

My captor stepped past me and turned the water on.

Water fell over me. I spun around in time to watch the king and his brothers step back, instead of coming closer.

Finally, I realized what they were doing.

Washing the perfume off me.

Now, I felt like an idiot.

They probably didn’t even want me naked.

There was no way I was going to avoid them finding out what I was anymore. My scent would give it away immediately. But, I still needed to act like I was clinging to my secret, for the sake of protecting the more important truth.

The king stepped closer, and I forced myself to stay where I was. His bare chest nearly brushed mine, his nostrils flaring as he reached past me. His dominance felt like electricity crackling against my skin, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It actually felt kind of nice.

I held my ground as he grabbed a bar of soap that smelled like absolutely nothing, and lifted it between us.

“Clean it off or I’ll wash you myself,” he said in a low voice.

We both knew he was talking about the perfume.

I ripped the soap out of his hand, and the king finally stepped back, giving me room to breathe again.

With a huff, I set the soap back down on the shelf he’d taken it from.

The king took a step toward me, but stopped when I unzipped my jacket and tossed it to him. He caught it easily, and his fancy brother gagged at the strong scent of perfume on the wet fabric.

I had a pair of spandex volleyball shorts under my leggings. I preferred to take my leggings off and run in nothing but those sometimes. So, my pants went next. When I’d peeled the fabric off my skin, I threw them at my captor, hoping they’d accidentally hit him in the face.

The Alpha caught them before they could, and his eyes narrowed at me when he did. His dominance thickened the air, but it still felt good.

In just my sports bra and shorts, I grabbed the soap and ran it over my skin quickly. Efficiently.

The soap went back where it belonged before I stepped under the water to rinse off. There weren’t many suds. It seemed like the kind of handmade soap that was way more expensive than it should’ve been, but left your skin feeling amazing.

I could never use that stuff. I had to buy the strongest-smelling shower gel I could find.

Guess that was about to change, though. I could use good, unscented soap—at the price of my freedom and safety.

Fletcher was going to lose his ever-loving shit.

Despair was sinking deep into my abdomen, but I hid it thoroughly.

The big, powerful bastards staring at me didn’t get to know what I was feeling.

When the water had rinsed all of the soap away, I shut it off. The alternative was letting one of them step around to my back and do it themselves. My wolf and I agreed that we might as well enjoy the last few minutes of freedom we would likely ever have.

As soon as it was off, three identical sets of nostrils flared.

One man rumbled.

“Well, fuck,” the fancy guy said.

“I was right,” my captor added.

“You’re a wolf,” the Alpha King said.

It was a solid few seconds before I realized he was talking to me.

“The first we’ve found since our mother passed,” the fancy guy put in.

The Alpha King stepped toward me. He inhaled deeply, and his chest rumbled again.

I had no idea what he was rumbling over. Some of the males did that when they liked the way a woman smelled, but their situation was so different than mine. That couldn’t have been it.

“Your mother?” I asked.

“She’s the reason we’re bigger than everyone else,” the fancy guy agreed. “She was a female wolf. The only one of her generation, as far as we know. Our father held her captive until she died when we were seven.”

My eyes widened, my body stiffening.

They had been so young, they probably hadn’t realized what she could do. He had probably hidden it from them.

But had they just admitted they were going to lock me—

“That fucker,” my captor growled under his breath.

The curse relaxed me a little.

They probably didn’t want to lock me up if they hated their father for doing the same.

Right?

The Alpha prowled around my back, which immediately erased the small amount of relaxation I’d felt. I tried to stay still, but I had no idea what he was doing. Looking for weaknesses? Checking me out? Trying to decide the best place to chain me to a wall?

“You’ve never been part of a pack,” he said in a low voice.

It wasn’t a question.

An alpha claimed a wolf as part of their pack with a swipe of their claws. It always left a scar. Usually on their back, shoulder, or arm. It was considered barbaric to scar them anywhere else, and hadn’t been done for at least a century.

“No. Someone would’ve noticed.”

“Your brother kept you hidden,” he said.

I didn’t confirm that.

I would never give him ammunition against Fletcher.

“I called a contact in his pack. They’re twins,” the fancy one said. “Aspen and Fletcher Keys. Nearly twenty-six years old. Raised by a small pack on the outskirts of Crimson Lake. The Stone Pack. It was dissembled a few years back, and the records of its members were destroyed.”

“He was thorough. I’m impressed.” The king stopped in front of me, blocking my view of his brothers and meeting his gaze as he spoke to them. “Send him a gift basket. And an invitation to our mating ceremony, under the next full moon.”

I sucked in a breath.

My wolf studied him through my eyes, still trying to make up her mind about how she felt.

One of his brothers grunted. Probably my captor.

The other coughed. Probably the fancy one. “Your what?”

“The next full moon is three weeks away. I’ll claim her then. She stays in my room until it’s done.”

My eyes widened.

The fancy brother cleared his throat. Loudly. “You know she has to agree to it, right?”

“Of course I know how a fucking mate bond works, Clay.” His eyes didn’t leave mine.

Guess the fancy one was named Clay.

My heartbeat threatened to drown out all other sound in the room. Err, the shower.

“Okay, but—”

Clay cut himself off when the Alpha stepped closer to me. His bare chest nearly met mine, and I couldn’t tear my eyes from his.

They looked like honey, and shifted to melted gold as his wolf stepped in. He lifted my chin with a knuckle, until my eyes met his.

My heart pounded erratically as he brushed four fingers gently to my throat—and white noise flooded my ears as the tips of four sharp claws cut into my skin ever so lightly.

I didn’t dare take a breath as he dragged them across my throat diagonally, from my chin to my collarbone. They stung, just the tiniest bit.

He withdrew the claws, and I squeezed my eyes shut as he leaned forward. His nose brushed the side of my throat, making me fight a shudder before he dragged his tongue over the shallow wounds slowly. One at a time.

I could feel the skin knitting together slowly, the slight sting fading away almost as soon as it had appeared. An Alpha’s claiming mark always healed almost instantly.

The king pulled away, and satisfaction filled the man’s wolfish eyes as he took in what had to be four small scars across my throat. His chest rumbled again, and I could finally identify the sound.

Appreciation.

My hands trembled, and his gaze lowered to them. His expression went neutral for a moment before he grabbed a robe off a hook and tossed it my way. It hit me in the face, but I caught it.

“Anyone who touches her forfeits their life,” he said.

I lowered the robe from my face, and my eyes widened when I realized he was already gone.

My gaze met the fancy brother’s. Clay. His face was pale, his gelled hair messy.

I looked at my captor. He grunted again, and shook his head like he couldn’t help me. Then he smacked his brother on the arm, and left.

“What the fuck?” the fancy guy finally asked, a solid two minutes later.

“I don’t know.” I dropped my head into the fabric in my hands. “At least I’m not dead.”

“Not yet.”

My gaze jerked up, and Clay lifted his hands like he wasn’t a threat.

Obviously, he was.

“I’m kidding. Enzo is more wolf than man, but he wouldn’t kill a female werewolf after announcing he wanted to mate with her.” He hesitated a minute. “Probably. Unless you give him trouble.”

My eyes widened.

Clay had no idea whether or not his brother was going to kill me.

“The king’s name is Enzo?”

“His wolf doesn’t like to be called king, but yes. The pack calls him Alpha, or Savage. Our last name. Anyway, I’m going to need some time to work through all of that.” He gestured toward me. Guess I was all of that. “We’ll reconvene tomorrow or something.”

I let out a shaky breath. “What happens now?”

“Now, I leave you to get comfortable in Enzo’s room. Your room, apparently. And I figure out a way to let your brother know you’re safe without starting a war. I also need to tell both our pack and the rest of them what’s happening, without creating more of a mess. It helps that no one knows what our mother was. If they did…” he shook his head. “Chaos and murder.”

“Savagery?” I suggested weakly.

He cracked a small grin. “Good one. Yeah. I’ve gotta go. You’ll need to eat something in the pack’s dining hall to show that you’re… you know. Alive. Not injured. A werewolf.”

I looked at the ground. “Where did my clothes go?”

“Ah. Enzo took them. Probably going to burn them. The perfume had become one with the fabric.”

It really had.

That was how I protected myself, though.

“Can you go get the rest of my clothes?” I asked.

“Are they all doused in perfume?”

I blinked. “Yes.”

“Then that’s not going to happen, Princess.”

“Princess?” My voice raised an octave.

I’d been in hiding for my entire life and had been through literal hell because of what I was, and he was calling me Princess?

“I mean, you’re now engaged to the king. That makes you a princess, doesn’t it?”

“You’re his brother. Does that make you a prince?”

Clay grinned. “You know, I think it does. I’m going to run with that.”

I shook my head, frustration welling in my chest. “I’m not going to your dinner without clothes.”

“Just wear some of Enzo’s. It’ll probably calm his wolf down to see you in them.”

“I’m not going to a meal with your pack in your Alpha’s clothes. I don’t even know any of you.”

“Well, I’m Clay. The stiff bastard who picked you up in the woods is Hunter. Everyone else will probably introduce themselves when you meet them.” His phone buzzed, and he looked down at it. His lips twisted in a grimace. “I’ve got to run. Someone will be by to bring you to dinner. Enzo, probably. He’ll want to stake his claim and all that. Enjoy this.”

With one last gesture to the room, he strode out of the shower.

“Wait,” I called out, clutching the robe to my chest as I hurried after him. “My phone was in the pocket of my leggings. I’ll need that. And—”

“You’re going to have to talk to Enzo. If I give you things, his wolf will think I’m challenging him,” Clay called over his shoulder.

The door to the bedroom opened, then shut behind him.

I let out a frustrated groan.

Somehow, I was even more confused than I had been before we walked in.

But hey, at least my life wasn’t at risk anymore.

three

ASPEN

SINCE I WAS ALREADY ALONE, and nowhere near brave enough to venture outside on my own, I pulled on the robe and walked around the apartment.

To be honest, it was beautiful. There was real, rough stone all over the place. The headboard was modern and metal, both simple and sturdy. The duvet was dark gray, and the sheets were too.

The bathroom was modern but rustic-style, with that ginormous shower and an equally huge bathtub.

The kitchen was large, with nice wooden cabinets, a gorgeous red brick backsplash, and white stone countertops. A few dishes sat in the sink, making me think Enzo had cooked for himself, rather than eating with the rest of his pack like most Alphas. When I opened the fridge, I found it full of leftovers and ingredients, including raw meat that wasn’t expired yet. That confirmed my suspicions.

The dishwasher was full of clean dishes, though about half of them had been pulled out. Maybe he didn’t like to unload the dishes all at once, and just used them as he needed them.

Hmm.

Not a particularly attractive habit, but I had never dated anyone, so I didn’t have anyone except Fletcher to compare him to. Maybe most guys did that. Fletcher and I split the housework equally, but we both ate with the pack rather than cooking for ourselves most of the time.

The kitchen counters weren’t dirty, but they weren’t clean. Neither were the floors.

Which meant he probably didn’t let anyone in to clean his room. That was different. Fletch and I didn’t have a cleaner because of my scent, but everyone else in the Creek Pack had their space cleaned by the paid service.

At the far side of the kitchen, I noticed a door that led out to a small porch, with a large, outdoor rocking chair and direct forest access. When I checked it, I found it locked from both sides, so I couldn’t leave that way. But it would be nice for when I wanted to shift and run. If I was allowed to.

While I obviously wasn’t considering the king my future mate, I also wasn’t sure how I’d be able to get out of the situation. Given the size and speed of the Savage brothers, Fletcher and his pack had no chance. Not even a little. And none of them would fight for me, except my brother. And maybe Lucas, the Beta who was sort of in love with me.

He was the one person I didn’t want to fight for me.

Our adopted parents would come out to defend me if Fletcher asked them to, but considering the mess in our past, neither of us would let them go against the king. The last thing either of us wanted was for more of the people we loved to get hurt, or worse.

But if I was going to stop Fletcher from doing something extreme when he got Enzo’s gift basket and wedding invitation, I needed to talk to him.

Which required a phone.

I started to search Enzo’s apartment, looking for his. I was crossing my fingers that he’d left the device inside, even if that seemed unlikely.

His closet was bigger than I expected, and mostly empty. On hangers, Enzo had two pairs of jeans, and two button-up shirts that still had tags on them. There were a couple of white tank tops, one black t-shirt, and two long-sleeved tees with the names of bands I didn’t recognize. Those both looked old and very worn.

Tucked away on a shelf, I noticed two pairs of brand-new shoes.

In the custom-made dresser, I found a drawer full of folded boxer-briefs that still smelled like a store, having clearly never been used. A drawer of new socks, too. The only clothes that actually looked like they’d been through the wash were three drawers of unfolded sweatpants in shades of gray, black, and navy.

I wandered back to the bedroom and opened the nightstand drawers. When I found a phone in one of them that was empty otherwise, I barely held back a cheer.

Except when I tried to turn it on, it was dead.

Dammit.

I looked through the rest of the nightstand drawers, but no charger appeared.

Guess the Alpha really didn’t have a use for a phone.

I had nothing else to do, and no way to even tell what time it was, so I spent the next little while digging through bathroom drawers and cupboards, hoping I’d find a charger.

Nothing was organized. It was chaos. He obviously purchased the things he liked in bulk and just tossed the extras in the cabinets, because the stuff was literally in grocery bags, just piled on top of each other.

I itched to organize it as I looked through, but that would make it seem way too much like I was interested in him or trying to make his life easier or something. I wasn’t. I just wanted to call my brother before he got himself or the rest of our family killed.

With a frustrated huff, I sat back on my heels after I finished looking through the last of the stuff.

I’d gone through everything else, except…

The kitchen.

My robe was abandoned at the foot of the bed, so I made my way into the kitchen in my sports bra and spandex shorts. When I found a charger in the back of a drawer, I almost let out a whoop of victory.

It would take a few minutes to get the phone to start again, so I plugged it in and headed for the shower. Might as well get clean myself more thoroughly, if I wasn’t hiding anymore.

I grabbed the robe on my way, tossing it back on the hook. Now that I knew every single item in the room, I was actually feeling pretty comfortable there. That would change if the Alpha was with me, of course, but it was nice not to be worried for the moment.

Stepping toward an overflowing clothes hamper, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and froze.

Turning quickly, I surveyed my appearance.

The blood drained slowly from my face as I lifted my hand to my throat. To the scars the Alpha had left there. They weren’t raised. They weren’t dark red, either. They were just pink enough that there was no way anyone could deny what they were.

An Alpha’s claim.

Not the mark of a deep wound, or a cruel cut, but one left in a place that everyone in their right mind would call barbaric. Right across my throat, where no one could miss them. Even the highest turtleneck would show a little of the markings.

Emotions flooded me. I didn’t have names for them. Sadness? Anger? Overwhelm? Fear? Hurt? Relief?

I wasn’t sure.

I didn’t have to hide anymore. That was a massive weight off my shoulders. I didn’t have to hold back the truth about what I was, or keep everyone at a distance.

But I wasn’t free. Not free to be myself, or free to live how I wanted. I still couldn’t date. I still couldn’t have my own place, or wander a grocery store without worrying about the way I smelled, or get a job away from an Alpha.

I was just trapped in a different way, now.

Unless Enzo changed his mind.

Considering he was at the very top of the food chain, I would probably die if I tried to make him change his mind. That wasn’t a risk I should take.

But maybe I could push him just a little, to see how he reacted and where we stood. To see if I could wiggle my way into a little freedom.

I’d have to play along at first, of course. Wear his clothes. Follow his orders. Do what he wanted, to a reasonable extent. My wolf didn’t like to obey anyone, but she had seemed unsure enough of the Alpha that I hoped she would go along with it.

“We’re going to play along with what he wants until we know whether or not he’s going to kill us,” I whispered, lifting my fingers to touch the pink skin on my throat.

She yawned.

Shit.

Not a good sign.

“His own brother said he would kill us if we got in his way,” I whispered, frustration rising. “He’s more beast than man. He’s not safe. We need to be careful.”

She snapped her teeth.

Fuck.

She didn’t want to play nice. Not even with the Alpha King. She had to be losing her shit, because she had never gone against my plan to keep us safe before.

“Please?” I nearly begged.

She plopped down on her belly, and dropped her head on top of her paws.

I groaned.

Enzo was totally going to kill us.

AFTER A QUICK SHOWER, I dried off in my—well, Enzo’s—robe, inhaling deeply.

My chest rumbled with my wolf’s happiness.

No more stinky, human chemical perfumes.

No more hiding.

I padded back to the phone, and immediately realized my conundrum.

I didn’t have the passcode.

My hope deflated instantly.

I tried a few simple passcodes.

0000

1111

2222

4444

7777

9999

1234

1212

It locked me out of the phone for five minutes after that last one.

I let out a frustrated huff and dropped the now-useless device on the countertop. A shit ton of messages appeared on the screen a minute later, though, and that caught my attention.

I scrolled through the newest ones. It looked like a group conversation, though it didn’t tell me the names of who he was messaging, just their phone numbers.

I opened all of the messages it showed and scrolled through from bottom to top, so I could read the conversation from start to end. Or the portion of it on the screen, at least.

UNKNOWN

That fucker probably doesn’t even know where his phone is

UNKNOWN

I tracked it last week and it said it had been offline for four months

UNKNOWN

If he’s going to force the princess to mate with him, the least he could do is stay around to help deal with the fallout

If I get one more text about whether or not we’re allowing groupies now, I’m going to lose it

AND THERE IT IS

UNKNOWN

Just ignore them

UNKNOWN

If I ignore them, they will track me down

UNKNOWN

Stop being so nice

UNKNOWN

I’M NOT NICE, DAMMIT

And I’m already getting threatening phone calls from her brother. Apparently he tracked her phone

This shit is not good

If he’s going to mate with her, he needs to do it now, before someone challenges him. The last thing we need is more bloodshed

Where the fuck is he?

UNKNOWN

I think he’s meeting with a few enforcers about the rogue pack on the north side of the forest. He’d just gotten out of bed when you showed up with the princess, and you know he was out there for days

Enforcers weren’t technically a ranking of wolves. In large packs, they were just guys who worked under the Alpha trio. They were usually in charge of smaller groups of wolves or assigned to specific roles, to help keep things running smoothly. Fletcher had a few of them in the Creek Pack.

UNKNOWN

How many wolves are left?

UNKNOWN

We’re not sure

At least a few dozen. It was the biggest rogue pack we’d ever seen

UNKNOWN

Fuck

Who’s out there now?

UNKNOWN

Yates and Johns

He’s sending a handful of others out too

UNKOWN

It’s a miracle that he’s sending anyone instead of taking over himself again

UNKNOWN

The wolf probably doesn’t want to be away from her long, I’m sure you saw him in Enzo’s eyes. He’s the one who claimed her. Don’t know what the man thinks about it

UNKNOWN

Enzo’s probably pissed

UNKNOWN

Probably

UNKNOWN

Her brother is calling me again

Fuck me

UNKNOWN

I’ll pass

I couldn’t help my snort at the shitty joke, even though I was already heading toward the door.

I had no idea what they meant when they were talking about rogues, but I was the only one who could talk Fletcher out of coming after me. And coming after me could get him killed.

My hand was an inch away from the doorknob when I realized I wasn’t wearing anything but the robe.

Crap.

I made a quick pitstop in the closet for one of the worn, long-sleeve tees, and nearly tripped over my own feet as I yanked a pair of boxer-briefs up my legs on my way out of the room.

My feet and legs were bare as I stumbled out of the room, settling my shorts on my hips.

I stopped just outside when I realized there were multiple men in the hallway just outside, watching the door.

Waiting.

Or were they guarding me?

I scanned them quickly.

They didn’t look like guards. None of them were wolfed out, and they were fully dressed.

The Alpha’s phone was still clutched in my hand, probably at 10% battery or less. His brothers were still texting, too, so it vibrated twice.

“Do any of you have a phone I can borrow?” I asked the guys.

One of them inhaled deeply.

The others were sniffing the air more sneakily.

All of their eyes went wide.

“I’ll answer all of your questions if you let me borrow your phone. Please. My family is in danger.” I was nearly begging them, but I didn’t care.

They didn’t answer.

My wolf growled, vibrating my chest.

She parted her jaws in a snarl.

She thought they needed to answer to us. That we were going to mate with their Alpha, which was just as good as being their Alpha.

I tried to squash her down, and she snapped her teeth at me.

“You belong to the Alpha,” one of the guys said, his voice only slightly apologetic. “If we help you, we’re siding against him. And siding against him is never a good idea.”

My wolf roared.

My eyes widened, and I rubbed at my chest.

“You can borrow mine, if you ask him to let us have groupies here,” one of the guys offered.

I wasn’t promising to ask him anything.

Enzo already disliked me, scarred my throat with his claws, and announced to his brothers that he was forcing me to mate with him.

Reasoning with him didn’t seem like it was even possible.

“Just point me in the direction of where his brother works. The nice one. Clay,” I said.

Multiple sets of eyebrows lifted.

Someone asked, “You think Clay is the nice one?”

“Where is he?” I demanded, my wolf throwing her weight into the words.

She wanted out.

I could feel it.

Now that shifting wasn’t risky, she wanted to be free, and she wanted it soon. As soon as our family was safe, because she couldn’t make that happen.

“Two minutes down the hall. Room 105. Red door. Can’t miss it,” someone blurted.

I didn’t thank them as I took off at a run. My tits were bouncing, and my hair had made my shirt so wet that everyone could probably see my nipples through the fabric, but I didn’t give a damn. It wasn’t like the men hadn’t seen breasts before.

And my brother—my best and only friend—was in danger.

I found the red door quickly, and threw it open without knocking.

“Yes, Fletcher, I understand that you’re angry.” Clay sounded annoyed, his voice coming from a room attached to the small waiting area I’d found myself in.

This was not good.

He was the nice brother, but he was still part of the king trio.

I rushed through the waiting room and into the office, ignoring the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door.

“Right, but—” Clay cut himself as his eyes widened at the sight of me. “Tell me you haven’t been wearing that through the Lodge.”

“Give me the phone.” I held out my hand.

“No, Fletcher, not you. Your sister is here. I told you, she’s fine.”

I leaned over the desk, and his eyes went straight to my tits.

They definitely weren’t hidden.

He put in a bit of a battle, but after a moment of reluctance, let me take the phone from him.

“Hey, Fletch.” I was breathless.

“What the fuck happened?” he snarled into the phone. “You were supposed to be careful. I—”

“I was careful. The Savages’ noses just work too well. Hunter found me on the trail, and he realized exactly what I was. Their mother was a born wolf shifter.”

Clay pinched his nose. “That’s not supposed to be shared, Princess.”

“Did that fucker just call you Princess?” Fletcher demanded.

“Yeah. It’s fine. Don’t tell anyone about their mom. And really, no one has hurt me. I’m safe. Kind of safe, at least. The Alpha—the king—he thinks he can force me to marry him. He’s going to keep people away from me. They’re all afraid of him.”

“He never said force,” Clay grumbled.

“If that fucker touches you, he dies.”

“You’ve met him, Fletch. You know you can’t win that fight. Anyone who’s met him knows they can’t win that fight. I don’t even think his brothers can win that fight, and they’re just as big as him. You can’t fight us out of this.”

“Aspen…” his voice was raw.

Desperate.

We were all each other had. And had been, for years.

My gaze flicked to Clay, who was eyeing me with something that looked a little like approval.

“Please keep the people we love away. Tell them, but don’t let them interfere. I’ll find a way out of this. Enzo doesn’t seem to like me. I’ll make him like me less.”

He growled. “I can’t leave you there and do nothing, Aspen. He could kill you.”

“Better me than the rest of our family.”

He was quiet for a minute.

A long minute.

“I would trade myself for you in a heartbeat,” he said, pain in his voice.

“I know. I love you.”

“I love you too. Tell them I’ll be visiting or sending my Beta, every day, to make sure you’re still alive.”

Shit.

I bit the inside of my cheek. “I don’t think Lucas is a great idea.”

“Why not?”

I nearly groaned.

Guess I should’ve told him earlier that his closest friend was interested in me.

I turned away from Clay and lowered my voice. “Just ask him how he feels about me. Enzo might want to kill him if he finds out. If the king is possessive.”

“He’s a wolf, and he’s the fucking king. He’s going to be possessive. I don’t see what that has to do with Lucas, though.”

Clay cleared his throat.

My time was over.

“Just ask him. I have to go, okay? I love you,” I repeated. “Don’t come by every day. Don’t send anyone. I’ll text you and let you know when it’s safe.”

“Fine. Be careful.”

I hung up the phone and handed it back to Clay, fighting to control my emotions again.

“If there’s another male involved, Enzo will need to know. The other man will die if he finds out when the guy is here,” Clay warned.

“Can we avoid it even if I tell him first?” I countered.

Clay lifted a shoulder. “Depends how serious it was.”

“We aren’t together. He has a harmless crush on me.”

“Then he might survive.”

I groaned, collapsing in the chair on the other side of his desk. “This is insane. Enzo wants me to, what, breed the next generation of Savages for him? Then what? Mating is permanent. Is he going to lock me up like your mother? Am I—”

“Don’t even fucking suggest that,” Clay said, his blue eyes flashing and his voice straining. I watched closely, waiting for his wolf to show through, but he kept his beast suppressed carefully. “We are not our father. No one will ever be locked up.”

“You literally told me he might kill me earlier.” I tossed a hand in the general direction of his room, where we’d been when the conversation happened. “And he said I have to stay in his room.”

“Do you want the truth, Princess?”

“I am not a princess,” I growled back, my wolf rising on her haunches.

She didn’t like this Gamma—or Beta—talking down to her. Whatever he was, he wasn’t her mate.

“Well, the truth is that I don’t know why my brother announced that he wanted to mate with you. I can’t read his mind. No one can. His wolf seems to have decided he wants you, and in this city, his wolf is judge, jury, and executioner. Without Enzo, this place would’ve been overrun with rogue and rabid wolves decades ago. It nearly was when our dad was in charge.”

He leaned forward, his eyes brightening. I forced myself not to lean away. “The things he’s had to do—the things all of us have had to do—would give you nightmares. So yes, compared to us, you are a princess. Your brother kept you safe in a tower while we fought, bled, and killed for this city. Enzo even more than the rest of us, while he fights to maintain and grow the biggest pack this world has ever seen.”

“So if my brother’s wolf wants you as his mate, I’m going to make it happen. If he wants your head on a platter, roasted to medium-rare for dinner, I’ll throw you in the pan myself. Because yeah, you’re a special, born-female wolf, but this city can’t survive without him. None of us can. If you want to try to make him hate you, go ahead. The only person it hurts is you.” He leaned back in his seat, apparently done with the lecture.

My wolf was officially intrigued.

And I was officially in deep, deep shit.

So much deeper than I’d realized.

Hell, maybe I was drowning in shit. Because as far as I could see, there was no way out.

Suddenly, I could understand why the men in the hallway all looked surprised when I said Clay was the nice one. He was friendly on the outside, but when it came down to it, he was the one who would stab you in the back. Enzo wouldn’t bother with the bullshit. You’d see him coming when he killed you.

So, when Clay held his hand out for his and Enzo’s phones, I gave them to him.

And when he pointed me down the hall, back toward the Alpha’s apartment, I walked.

Live to fight another day and all that, right?

My wolf growled the whole way back to his apartment, but I would figure out what her issue was.

Hopefully before she made the Alpha kill us.

four

ENZO

MY WOLF MOVED FASTER than I’d ever seen.

He wanted to get back to her side. His female. The one he’d claimed.

The fucker wasn’t taking no for an answer, and I knew better than to fight him when he made his mind up so completely. With one whiff of Aspen’s scent, of the wolf hidden beneath that awful perfume, he’d known she was his. He’d barely handled smelling Hunter on her. If anyone else had touched her, they’d die.

Slowly.

Painfully.

The bastard was rarely bloodthirsty. We killed more than enough to satisfy the worst of monsters, and he was far from the worst.

But for her, he was out for blood.

My enforcers were keeping more distance from him than usual. They always kept their distance, knowing that the weight of the pack bond was already more than I could bear.

My head hurt constantly. Interacting with my wolves at all was painful.

But if I didn’t take the strongest fuckers in, I’d have to kill them when they went rabid.

So I took them.

And ignored the headaches.

At least when I was in the shower with Aspen, her scent distracted me from the feeling of a nail being driven into my brain by the weight of my pack.

Clay’s mind met mine through the bond.

“You done for the day?”

“Almost.”

My wolf tore through another belly while our enforcers trapped a rabid together. The rogues were a nightmare. One I didn’t know how to end in any other way than with blood.

“Let me know when you’re headed back,” Clay said.

My gut told me my wolf’s female had done something that would piss both of us off.

My wolf snarled, tearing into the forest after the final rabid.

When he was dead too, my wolf left him with the enforcers. I gave them a quick command to bury the bodies, promising to send a few more guys out to help, and ran back toward the Lodge.

It was a long run.

I should’ve taken one of the Jeeps. And had some food on the way. I’d just woken up when Hunter told me he thought he’d found a female wolf. Food hadn’t happened.

It should’ve happened.

My wolf pushed us harder.

We were going to regret it. And need to eat a shit ton of food. Which meant cooking a shit ton of food.

I groaned inwardly.

“Headed back,” I told Clay.

“Great. So, we have a small problem.”

“Spit it out.”

“Your princess found your phone and charged it. Couldn’t get in, but read a few texts from me and Hunter. Nothing really important.”

“So?”

“So, she saw in one of the messages that I was talking to her brother, and came out to find me. She’d just gotten out of the shower. Her hair was wet. Shirt was, uh, wet.”

Stuck to her breasts.

My wolf snarled.

He shouldn’t give a shit about her tits. If she was my mate, they were mine, not his. I didn’t know why he cared. And she had been wearing a bra, so what did it matter? They were great tits.

“All she had on was your underwear and your shirt. It was cold. Nothing was really hidden, if you know what I mean. The wet shirt clung. Some of the guys were hanging out in the hall outside your room, waiting for her. They just wanted her to talk to you about the groupie thing, but—”

“Get to the names already.”

He rattled them off. Four guys. I wouldn’t kill them, but I’d do enough damage to make a statement so my wolf didn’t come out and kill them.

She belonged to me.

“One more thing. She mentioned a guy in her brother’s pack. Apparently, he flirted a lot. Nothing happened. Her brother didn’t know he even liked her. It’s his Beta.”

My nostrils flared.

I didn’t have time for this newfound jealousy, but my wolf’s rage told me I was making time.

“I’ll handle it,” I said.

“The princess cares a lot about her brother, so I’d use nonlethal force if possible. They’re supposed to be really close.”

“As long as the Beta backs off from my mate, we won’t have problems.”

There was a pause.

A long one.

I knew my brother well enough to be sure he was choosing his words carefully, and rolled my eyes inwardly.

My wolf huffed.

“You know she’s not exactly happy about this situation, right?” he finally asked. “The abduction thing. The taking her phone thing. The leaving her without clothes thing. I don’t think she’s going to play along very well. You may need to prepare yourself for the possibility that she could turn you down at the mating ceremony.”

My wolf snarled so loudly that he scared off a flock of birds as we ran past them.

“She’s a female wolf. She needs someone who can protect her. I’ll convince her to say yes,” I gritted out.

My wolf wanted to howl, but he was running too hard to get back to her.

“Just try to accept that it might take some time. Maybe give it a few months.”

“No.”

He sighed. “Alright, fine. While I have you, I’ve got a few males who took human mates bugging me. Apparently their pack is imploding, and they know we have space. I turned them down because of the no female rule, but…”

“The no female rule stays in place until I’m mated and I’ve tested how well I can handle the added pressure of having a woman around. Tell them to deal with their own shit until then.”

“Got it. See you soon.”

I cut off the communication and thought pointedly, “If you want her to mate with us, you’re going to have to control yourself around her. Scarring her skin and pissing her off aren’t going to make her say yes. I’m not forcing her into a mate bond. I’ve got to draw a line somewhere.”

We couldn’t communicate back and forth, but he could hear my thoughts and words.

He scoffed.

I had no idea whether he was trying to tell me I was ridiculous, that he already knew, or something else entirely. There was no point in wondering.

He was going to do whatever he decided to do, and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do to change it.

Hopefully he didn’t fuck things up so badly with the female that we lost all hope entirely, because I really didn’t think he was going to let her go.

five

ASPEN

MY WOLF WAS ITCHING to get out and walk around, but for whatever reason, she was refusing to shift while we were alone in the Alpha’s room.

Hopefully she’d finally decided to be afraid of him. She needed to.

Since she wouldn’t shift, but wouldn’t calm herself down either, I ended up pacing the room.

There was no clock on the oven, and the one on the microwave was stuck at 12:03. I had no idea how much time had gone by. The sun had set completely, but it had already been setting when I made it back to the room.

So, I paced.

Eventually, the door opened.

I spun immediately, and came face-to-face with the Alpha King.

Enzo.

I forced myself to stay calm.

My wolf got up and stretched, her tail wagging slowly.

That was a bad sign. A very bad sign.

Enzo’s honey-eyed gaze lowered to my chest, and back up. “We’re going to the pack’s dinner. Clay says we need to.”

“I’ve been told.”

His gaze lowered and raised again. “Don’t you have a bra?”

“Some asshole threw me in the shower while I was wearing it. Those things take forever to dry.”

His jaw set. “No, then.”

“No.”

He scrubbed a hand over his face, and his stomach growled loudly. His hair was wet, and he smelled clean. He must’ve showered off after he got back from dealing with the rogue wolves—whatever they were.

Something told me I didn’t want to know how he dealt with them.

“That shirt’s not going to work,” he finally said.

“If you’re referring to my tits, none of your shirts are going to work. None of them are made for triple-D breasts.”

“There’s a black one. It has to be better than this.” He strode past me, and I stepped back to give him space.

I didn’t want to touch him if there was a way around i—

My wolf tore through my skin suddenly, without warning. We had always shifted fast, the way the strongest wolves could. Weaker wolves took a few minutes.

She ducked out of the shirt and kicked off the boxer-briefs before she jogged down the hall, shaking out her highlighted brown fur. Like my hair, it was much lighter around her face, blending out naturally darker.

I heard the Alpha growl behind us, and then a gigantic black wolf was stomping behind us, growling and huffing like an angry kid.

He bumped my wolf’s side roughly, and she snapped her teeth at him. His growl cut off immediately, and he gave a whine, licking the side of her face. She rubbed up against him for a moment, until his stomach made a noise.

Then, she growled at him, and followed her nose down a few hallways.

I half expected the Alpha to reach out to me mentally and say something. He’d forced me into the pack when he scratched me, so we would be able to communicate that way if he wanted us to. Or if I wanted us to, I supposed.

But he didn’t say anything.

And I definitely wasn’t going to try to start a conversation with him. Even if I’d wanted to, I was shit with small talk.

The noise in the pack’s dining room died down as soon as we entered.

For some reason, their groupies and pack women weren’t there. Everyone in the expansive room was male, except me.

My wolf purred at the respect everyone showed with their sudden silence. Her mate nuzzled her side and lifted his head to glare around the room before he led her to a table nearby.

Someone loaded it with food quickly, and the wolves tore into it without manners, pause, or class. The noise in the room slowly returned, though never to its previous level.

My wolf was in heaven. Utterly in heaven. People were staring at her, and she didn’t have to be afraid. It was a truly terrible call, but she trusted the Alpha.

She was insane.

But she watched in admiration as Enzo’s wolf consumed far more food than she’d ever imagined anyone eating. Every time he noticed she wasn’t eating and nudged her back to the food, she ate more, with him.

When the Alpha finally slowed down, my wolf stepped off the table and down to the floor.

Then, she shifted.

Panic coursed through me.

I tried to yank the reins back, to stop her from giving me control, but had no luck. Skin replaced fur, leaving me bare-assed on the floor.

Silence struck again.

Every eye was on me.

The Alpha snarled viciously, and everyone looked away. Quickly.

His wolf leaped off the table and landed on top of me, his paws on the floor but his ginormous, furry body over mine.

He forced me to my back, and plopped down right on top of me, still snarling.

One minute passed.

Then another.

Panic gave way to irritation, then anger.

Who did he think he was? I wasn’t his mate. Sure, he was the king. According to his brother, he was the reason the city functioned at all. That was great. Wonderful.

But it didn’t give him any right to claim me. Even if there wasn’t really anything I could do to fight back.

My wolf’s pride told me she’d done this for a reason. Her head was up, her nose in the air.

She was showing him that he couldn’t control her. She might like him, and she might be okay with him claiming her, but he wasn’t her Alpha and didn’t get to call the shots.

Which I might as well take advantage of.

“I need my clothes,” I said into the Alpha’s furry throat. “That’s why she did this. She’s making a statement. She likes you, but she won’t let you control us.”

The wolf growled, his entire body rumbling against mine as he threw extra dominance into the air. More than usual. The electricity of it slid over my skin and warmed me, but otherwise didn’t do a thing.

Silence still rang through the massive dining room.

“That doesn’t affect me,” I said into the king’s fur. “I can feel the power, but it doesn’t do anything.”

He growled again, and I heard choking in the room behind me as he hit me with more of his power.

“We get it, Enzo. You’re the Alpha. Knock it off,” I lifted a hand and batted the wolf on the side of the head before my hand froze, and I realized he might bite me.

He licked my palm instead, and the power eased up.

Someone brought him a blanket, and the wolf finally lifted his head off my face and licked my cheek. He took the edge of the blanket, and dragged it over my body as he climbed off of me. He didn’t give up until I was entirely covered, from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes.

I pulled it off my face, holding it to my chest as I finally sat up. He stepped around my back, growling at me yet again. “You know nudity is unavoidable for werewolves, right? Your brother carried me while he was naked. I was in a vehicle with him for almost an hour. We—”

“Let’s not get me killed by the Alpha,” Hunter interrupted, from beside us.

Apparently he was the one who brought the blanket.

Enzo’s wolf snapped his teeth at his brother.

Hunter lifted his hands. “If I’d known she was yours, I would’ve put pants on.”

The wolf snapped his teeth again anyway.

“Aspen, can you lead the Alpha back to your room?” Hunter asked, eyeing the wolf with something that looked like uncertainty. “He seems to like you.”

Enzo’s wolf snarled, stepping toward his brother threateningly.

He hadn’t cared when I smacked his head, so he clearly didn’t mind it when I touched him. I put a hand on his side, rubbing lightly, and the wolf’s anger vanished immediately as he stepped closer to me.

“You don’t need to scare anyone else. They know you’ve claimed me,” I said.

He licked my face, and I fought not to wrinkle my nose and push his head away. I was trying to calm him down, after all.

“Will you please let your human take over for a minute?” I asked. “There’s a lot of dominance flying around the room.”

He ignored my request.

Clearly, he didn’t care that he was stifling his pack.

“It would make me happy,” I threw out there, just to see if he cared about that.

He turned toward me, letting out a huff.

Then he licked my cheek again, snuggled up against me, and shifted.

The fur under my hand gave way to warm, smooth skin. Enzo’s face replaced the wolf’s, his gorgeous, honey-colored eyes narrowed and only a breath away from mine.

His bare chest was pressed against my blanket-clad one, his knees on the floor, on either side of my legs.

The man was straddling me. It was the wolf’s fault, but still.

Being straddled was… new.

I wasn’t a virgin, but there had never been any love or romance in sex for me. Having him straddle me that way wasn’t romantic, obviously, but it was different. Sort of intimate.

Enzo let out a harsh breath, then stood.

My gaze remained where it was, eyes widening slightly as his thick abs, then cock, balls, and muscular thighs moved directly into my line of sight, inches away from my face.

He was hard.

And wow.

That thing was not small. He was at least a little bigger than the one guy I’d slept with.

“The female wolf belongs to me,” he said, stepping around me. When he kicked part of the blanket behind me, I got the message.

He wanted my back covered. At least my lower back.

Though I wanted to roll my eyes, I did wrap it around myself.

“Anyone who looks at her, scents her, or touches her will die.” He didn’t bother raising his voice. He didn’t need to. He had everyone’s full attention, and all werewolves’ hearing was better than humans’.

I looked over my shoulder as he crossed the room behind me in strong, confident steps.

Damn, that was a nice ass.

Enzo walked up to one of the men sitting down. The man jerked his chin downward as his Alpha approached, but Enzo grabbed him by the throat anyway.

My face paled as the scent of blood tinged the air. Enzo said something in a low voice, and the guys around him exchanged grimaces.

The guy he was choking nodded roughly, gasping something out.

Enzo dropped the man in his chair. As the man wiped blood off his throat and caught his breath, I studied him.

There was something familiar about…

Oh.

Crap.

He was one of the guys from the hallway, who had been waiting outside the bedroom door when I left.

My gaze jerked to the next guy Enzo had already grabbed by the throat, with his clean hand. The fingers at his side were already dripping blood.

It only took me a moment to place him as another guy from the hall.

All of the blood was gone from my face as the king repeated it with the third man, and the fourth. The amount of blood that dripped down their throats and coated his hands told me the cuts were far from shallow, and I hoped he hadn’t done any permanent damage.

When he came back over to me and put a bloody hand to my back, then walked me out in front of him, I didn’t dare hesitate or protest.

How had I forgotten who and what he was?

Enzo wasn’t just the Alpha.

He was the Wolf King.

He was the nightmare human females told stories about to get their pups to obey. Everyone feared him.

And he’d claimed me as his mate. His possession. Something no one was allowed to look at, smell, or touch. His fucking princess.

My wolf preened at the idea, despite her own show of dominance earlier. She wanted to belong to him.

I just wanted to be free.

When we reached his room, I knew I should give him space and try to gauge how best to avoid pissing him off. My wolf had thrown away my plan to play along.

If I wanted to avoid making him mad in the future, Enzo and I had to exchange at least a few words.

So, I followed him to the kitchen as he stalked over to the sink. I remained silent as he used the base of his palm to turn the water on. There was a large bottle of soap next to the faucet, and he pumped some into his hands. It had no scent, and slowly erased the smell of blood from the air.

I waited while he scrubbed.

Hopefully if I spoke after his hands were clean, he wouldn’t want to get them dirty again with my blood.

After a few minutes, he finally shut the water off and grabbed the towel from the countertop, drying them.

“I can wear your clothes, if you want,” I said. “But what I told your wolf was the truth. Mine doesn’t like to be controlled. Now that she knows she’s not in danger for existing, she’s going to assert herself. If I don’t have my own clothes, she’s going to keep putting me in uncomfortable positions to piss you off.”

“I’ll deal with it.” He dropped the towel on the counter again and stepped past me.

“I’m going into heat next week,” I added, following him out of the kitchen. “I track the date on my phone. I’ll need it back so I know when to expect it. So you know, too.”

He grunted.

Definitely wasn’t going to give me my phone.

His mom was like me… but she had died when he was a kid. He likely had no idea what heat entailed.

“Do you know what will happen when heat hits?” I asked him.

Enzo ignored me.

I’d take that as a no.

I followed him to the bed, where he plopped down on the mattress and grabbed a remote off the nightstand, turning on the large TV across from the bed. There was a book next to where the remote had been, so I knew he liked to read, but I didn’t bring that up.

The blanket I’d been given earlier was still wrapped around me, and I remained standing a few feet away from the bed. Though the blanket smelled lightly of Hunter, the scent was faint enough that it didn’t seem to be bothering the Alpha.

If he was going to ignore me, I was just going to have to keep talking. “My body gets hot and sweaty. My scent gets much stronger, and pulls in unmated wolves like a magnet. Since human women can’t actually seal a bond with male werewolves, that includes men who have been paired loyally with humans for decades. The only one it doesn’t pull in is my brother. He guards me.”

I had Enzo’s attention, now.

There was a commercial playing on the TV, but neither of us watched it. The Alpha was focused on me, and I was watching him.

I continued, “Everyone who catches my scent loses all sense of reason as nature tells them to find me and breed me. The first man Fletcher killed was a trusted, mated male pack member who was close to me when my first heat started. I was fifteen. It hits suddenly, and when it does, it’s too late to stop it. I saw how many doors were in this hallway. If I’m here when it starts, there will be dozens of men breaking through your door, trying to kill you to get to me. Logic won’t matter. Your dominance won’t matter. People will die.”

He studied me for a moment.

I gave him time, not rushing him. He would talk when he was ready.

And hopefully, he wouldn’t kill me.

His wolf wouldn’t, at least.

“How long does it last?” he asked.

“Three days if I spend it alone.”

His nostrils flared. “If you spend it with a male?”

“A few hours.”

“Who?” His voice was low.

I knew exactly what he was asking, and had a pretty clear idea of what would happen to the wolf whose name I gave him.

“It doesn’t matter.”

His honey eyes flashed gold. His wolf wanted an answer. “Like hell it doesn’t.”

“No one who will challenge you,” I said.

He stood up, the remote forgotten on the bed as he prowled toward me. “Who, Princess?”

“Fuck off,” I whispered.

His responding growl was deadly.

I tensed, but didn’t move.

He used his knuckle to tilt my chin back and to the side, then lowered his lips to my ear. “You can give me his name, or I can start killing my way through your brother’s pack until I find out who he is.”

“He’s not from my brother’s pack.”

“Then I’ll start with the nearest pack to him after I’m done with them. I’ll make sure to plate Lucas’s head for you, too.”

My hands trembled. “If you do that, you’ll lose the taxes they pay. The respect of the packs around them. Someone could challenge you.”

“I don’t need the money, and I’d enjoy the fight.” His lips brushed my ear.

“Your wolf wants me happy. Killing my brother’s pack won’t accomplish that. He’ll fight you on it.”

Enzo finally lifted his head, and stepped back.

I fought the urge to frown when he disappeared into the closet, still bare-assed and way too attractive for anyone’s safety. Especially mine. His cock was hardening, so apparently he was getting turned on by our little argument.

Which was just lovely.

But backing down really didn’t seem like something he would do, so he had to have gone into the closet for a reason.

He stepped out with my phone in his hand. Still naked.

“Code,” he said.

It wasn’t a question. It was a demand.

And nothing on there was worth the fight, so I gave it to him.

“0913.”

“Your birthday.”

I flashed him a look.

His brother had told him I was almost twenty-six, but I wasn’t going to confirm his theory. Even if it was right. He hadn’t said it like a question, anyway.

He typed it in, and a moment later, had the phone to his ear.

My heart squeezed when my brother answered.

“Aspen? Are you okay?”

“She’s fine,” Enzo said flatly. “I need the name of the man she’s spent heat with in the past.”

There was a long moment of silence.

“Is the connection bad? I would be thrilled to have this conversation in person. We can address any rules your pack is breaking by having groupies around while we’re at it, if you’d like. Kill two birds with one stone,” Enzo rumbled.

Fletcher growled.

I closed my eyes.

He needed to be careful. I wasn’t confident that my potential sadness would dissuade the Alpha from killing my brother or his pack, even if it put him at odds with the monster within him.

“It’s Silas Rhodes,” Fletch gritted out. “We grew up with him. If you kill him, she’ll hate you for it. He’s one of very few people who know what she is, and he has a secluded cabin they use. It’s severely painful for her to spend heat alone, on top of being dangerous, so they fuck. There’s no emotion behind it for either of them. They clean everything thoroughly afterward, so there’s no evidence when it’s over.”

“Send me the location.” He gave Fletcher a phone number.

“Alright, I just sent it, but the locks are good. You’ll want the key.”

“Fix your groupie situation before I stop by to pick it up. You have an hour.”

With that, Enzo hung up.

He tapped the screen, and I watched him find the app I used to track my heat. He hit the share button, and sent the information to another phone number. I hoped it was his, not one of his brothers’, but didn’t ask.

“Silas doesn’t deserve to die for helping me,” I said. “He’s family, and he has a strong pack. They respect him. None of them can take over as Alpha. He has no feelings for me. You saw my skin in the shower. He hasn’t ever claimed me, in any way.”

I thought Enzo was going to hand my phone over, since he’d given Fletcher his number. Instead, he took it with him to the closet as he put on a pair of black sweats and nothing else.

Black to hide the blood, probably.

My heart sank.

He was going to kill them, and leave me without a way to contact the people I loved. I—

He finally gave me the phone as he stepped out again. “Hunter will be monitoring your texts and calls. Do or say anything you shouldn’t, and you’ll lose it for good, Princess.”

“Fine.”

After a moment’s pause, he grabbed the blanket off me and tossed it to the side of the room. “Don’t touch that again. It smells like my brother.”

Then he strode out of the room, closing the door behind him. He didn’t lock it, but I knew the situation.

Anyone who tried to help me would bleed. Maybe die.

I wasn’t locked in, but I was trapped.

six

ASPEN

I DIDN’T WANT to piss off Enzo or Hunter, so I was careful about what I texted Fletcher. Losing my phone again would be shitty. I had to play along with the Savage brothers’ rules.

ME

Hey, Fletch, the king gave me my phone back

FLETCHER

Prove it

ME

You have a mole on your left ass cheek. We named it George when we were seven, before our parents told us that wasn’t socially acceptable

FLETCHER

He hasn’t locked you up or hurt you, has he?

ME

No

I’m fine

FLETCHER

Thank fuck

Is he really coming?

ME

I think so

He left me a minute ago

Did you warn Silas?

FLETCHER

Already called him, but he’s not running

Let’s hope he can convince the king that he has no feelings for you. How possessive is he?

ME

Possessive, possessive

FLETCHER

Silas is fucked

Nothing we can do about it now

I’ve got to get back to hiding groupies. Now’s the time to pray for Fiona’s life. I know how much you like her

I bit back a small grin.

ME

I’ll get right on it

Good luck

FLETCHER

Be careful. I’ll text you after he’s gone. Love you

ME

Love you too

I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a long breath, navigating out of the message. My hands were shaking just a little. My wolf was lounging, though, perfectly satisfied by the current turn of events.

Most wolves didn’t care who their current partner had been with before, so Enzo seemed excessively possessive. But when he couldn’t find my scent anywhere near Silas, or in the cabin, I hoped that might fade a little. Enough to save Silas, at least.

I wasn’t going to bargain with my body to keep Silas or the Creek groupies alive. If I tried, it would just make Enzo think I was more attached to them than I was.

But he cared about my wolf choosing to make things more difficult by flashing his pack.

I could use that, if I was smart about it.

I sat down on the edge of his bed and opened up the message he’d sent himself with my heat cycle. He had to have stopped by his brother’s office for his phone, since he’d forced Fletcher to text him details.

ME

If anyone dies tonight, my wolf is likely to rebel

I didn’t expect a message back.

He obviously didn’t text much. His phone had been in that drawer for more than four months, according to his brothers.

But a message came through a minute later anyway.

ENZO

If you leave our room while I’m gone, my wolf is likely to make sure everyone I meet tonight dies

I bit my lip.

The message was rough.

Brutal.

Threatening.

My wolf purred anyway.

Without thinking it through, I lifted my arm to the top of the bed frame and held my wrist against the metal, snapping a quick picture.

I sent it to him, with a message.

ME

Tied myself to the bed

Not going anywhere

As the checkmark told me my message was sent, I reread it and froze.

There was another clear message behind my words. An unintended one.

He answered immediately.

ENZO

Don’t tempt me, Princess

My face flushed.

The rest of my body did, too.

He thought I was hitting on him. Maybe I was accidentally hitting on him.

Shit.

I shoved a hand through my hair, and typed back another message.

ME

Would tempting you keep everyone alive?

ENZO

Not this time

My heart pounded.

Not this time wasn’t no.

It was maybe next time.

And it was far, far better than nothing.

I dropped the phone next to me and tucked my legs under the bedding. I should’ve gone to the closet for clothes, but his duvet was heavy and luxurious. He didn’t seem to use a top sheet, so the feel of it was nice on my legs.

Part of me wanted to text Silas or call him, to make sure he knew what was coming, but it wouldn’t help him if I made him more of a target. I needed to leave the distance between us.

Letting out a shaky breath, I grabbed the remote and tapped on the first streaming service. It opened up to profiles for all of the brothers.

Enzo.

Huntie.

Clay-Clay.

I bit back a tiny smile. The brothers must have a thing where they changed each other’s profile names to mess with each other.

I picked Enzo’s profile and clicked around, wanting to see what he had watched.

A few episodes of a spy TV show.

Every season and episode of a reality show where normal people had to survive out in nature with very few supplies.

Multiple action and adventure movies.

No thrillers, and no romance.

Hmm.

I turned on the first episode of the survival show. I had nothing else to do, and needed something to occupy my mind while I waited. I loved to read, but the iPad mini that had all of my books on it was back in my cabin, and I hated reading on my phone. It gave me headaches.

While the episode played, I kept checking my phone for calls and messages that didn’t come.

The show wasn’t my favorite, but it held my attention for the most part.

I was two episodes in when Fletcher finally texted me.

FLETCHER

He left a few minutes ago

No one died

ME

What did he do?

FLETCHER

Announced that he’d claimed you as his mate and told everyone what you are. Checked out the packhouse. Gave us a small fine for some bullshit. Got close to Lucas and told him that if he flirted with his queen again, he would paint his house with his blood. Shattered Graham’s nose for muttering something about you under his breath. Broke both of Reilly’s arms for the same

Other than that, he just packed your shit, took the key to the heat cabin, and left.

He drove off in the direction of the cabin, not Silas’s pack

ME

Holy shit

FLETCHER

I’m surprised it wasn’t worse, honestly

I’ve gotta go though

The pack is pissed at me for keeping your secret. Have to try to smooth things over

ME

I’m sorry

Good luck

FLETCHER

Don’t apologize

You know you’re the only person I really give a shit about in this world

ME

Same to you

After a moment of hesitation, I sent one last message.

ME

If you can’t fix things with the pack, you can accept the invitation to join Enzo’s

At least we’d be close to each other again

FLETCHER

The last thing I want is to make that fucker stronger by joining him

ME

I know, and I get it

Just remember that it’s an option

Love you

FLETCHER

I will

Love you too

I’ll let you know when I hear from Silas, his Beta, or Gamma

I bit my lip and tried to refocus on the show playing. I’d missed a few minutes, but that wasn’t a big deal.

My gaze kept flicking to my phone.

I didn’t relax for the next four hours.

Not until Fletcher finally texted me again.

FLETCHER

Enzo just left Silas’s pack

He’s broken and bloody, but he’s alive

Relief finally tore through me.

ME

Thank goodness

FLETCHER

He made sure to tell Silas that the only reason he was leaving him alive was to spare his mate the tears

He says thank you.

Emotion stung my eyes anyway.

ME

We’re not mated yet

I still might be able to get out of it

FLETCHER

I think we’re outclassed here

I’ll try to come up with a way to get you out, but you need to try to find a way to make him care about you, so you can still have a good life

ME

He told his people not to look at me, Fletch

He wants me to be a princess living in a tower

FLETCHER

Better trapped in a tower than dead

ME

Has the pack come around?

FLETCHER

Not yet

I’ll figure it out though

Goodnight. Be careful

I wiped my eyes again, angrily, as a few tears fell.

Everyone was alive, but things weren’t okay. I was locked in the Alpha King’s bedroom, without any of my clothes or other things. My brother, who was my best friend, could lose his pack because of me. And despite what he’d said, finding a new one wasn’t easy. Not for an Alpha as strong as him. He’d have to start from scratch, and everyone he knew was in Creek.

A packless Alpha was a bomb waiting to detonate. Not safe for anyone. If he couldn’t find people to join him, he’d have no choice but to turn to Enzo’s pack.

At least Silas was alive.

I shut the TV off and curled up with a thick, squishy pillow. Like everything else in the bedroom, it was fancier than I was used to, and smelled amazing. The Alpha was a bastard, but he smelled good. Really good. I hated myself for liking that.

For liking anything about the situation.

I was a prisoner.

A princess in a tower was safe, but safe didn’t mean happy. I knew that better than anyone.

AT SOME POINT, I must’ve fallen asleep snuggled up with the delicious-smelling pillow. Because at another point, it was replaced by a bare, even better smelling chest.

I only woke up briefly. Some part of me realized that the Alpha had pried the pillow out of my arms and pulled me against him, but it felt so good, so right, that I didn’t care.

WHEN I EVENTUALLY WOKE UP AND forced my eyes open, I found a pair of golden eyes staring at me while a big, warm hand moved slowly over my back.

I was literally wrapped around him. My leg was draped over his erection—covered by a pair of sweats, thankfully—but I could feel that I was a little slick against his chiseled abdomen, my legs open so wide that he had to have been able to feel everything. Not to mention smell it.

And my tits?

Yeah, they were nearly in his face. One of my breasts was trapped against him sideways, and my nipple was literally pointing at him.

Crap.

“You can’t pull me into your arms when I’m asleep,” I grumbled, climbing off of him.

My wolf was wagging her freaking tail.

Wagging it.

Horny bitch.

“You were holding my favorite pillow. I took it, and you climbed on top of me instead,” he growled back.

I only vaguely remembered what had happened, so I had no idea if that was true or not. I always snuggled with pillows, so it did seem possible.

“You should’ve pushed me away,” I finally said.

“I’m not a fucking saint, Princess.”

Clearly.

I made it off the bed, and pulled hair out of my mouth as I stumbled to the closet, my body still heavy with sleep.

When I stepped back out in a pair of his boxer briefs and the remaining long-sleeved shirt I hadn’t worn, the bed was empty.

My forehead creased.

I heard the fridge close, and padded into the kitchen.

The Alpha already had a few ingredients on the counter. He’d cracked two dozen eggs into a bowl, and was holding a pack of bacon.

My stomach growled.

Yum.

The bacon joined the eggs and some cheese in the bowl. Salt and pepper followed. A few veggies, too.

“Are you going to stand there and watch me all morning, Princess?” he drawled.

I shook my head, realizing I had been watching too long. Too closely, too.

“I’m not a morning person,” I mumbled, stepping into the kitchen and heading toward the dishes. I knew the dishwasher was half full. I could deal with that.

If he was cooking for me too.

I paused, my hip against the countertop. “Is all of that for you?”

“Yes. I went to the trouble of claiming you in front of my pack and locking you in my room just so I could cook for myself while you watch.”

I had to bite back a snort.

The Alpha was a dick, but apparently he had a sense of humor.

Maybe it only emerged after he had a naked woman sleeping on top of him.

Then again, I hadn’t done a damn thing except make him hard and give him something nice to look at.

I didn’t say anything else, just opening the dishwasher and getting to work putting things away. I vaguely remembered where everything went after snooping earlier, so it didn’t take as much effort as I would’ve expected.

“You went through all of my stuff yesterday,” he said, watching me through the corner of his eye as he put things away.

“Yeah. Don’t know how I missed my phone.”

“I had it with me when I came back for dinner. When your wolf took over.”

Ah.

Well, that made sense.

“Thanks for giving it back,” I said.

He grunted.

We worked in silence as he cooked the eggs. I put the dishes away, then started loading the dishwasher again.

I was only partially done when he loaded up plates, throwing some butter and jam on toast before he carried them to a pair of chairs under an extra strip of the countertop, near the pantry.

We’d be sitting really close to each other if I went over, so I kept working on the dishes. It would be easier to eat after he was done.

“The food’s ready,” Enzo said.

“I’ll eat when you’re done.”

“No. You’re my mate, not my fucking house cleaner. Sit down and eat.” His tone told me the meal wasn’t optional.

I supposed I should’ve expected as much.

Wolves had a thing for feeding their mates. Most males would sit the woman they were dating on their lap and feed her from their fingers a few times at the beginning of their relationship, just to tell everyone she was taken.

“Fine. You don’t need to growl at me.” I left the dishwasher open. I’d be going back to it. I didn’t have anything else to do.

Enzo watched me as I tried to fold myself into the remaining barstool without bumping him.

It failed.

There wasn’t enough space.

My side was pressed entirely against the Alpha’s when I finally picked up the fork, trying hard to lean away.

He didn’t comment on my leaning.

The food was delicious, but he didn’t say anything when I complimented him.

“So, you trapped me here,” I said, as we finished eating. He had significantly more food than me, but he ate faster.

I wasn’t trying to piss him off. I didn’t want to make him angry, or make my situation any worse. But we had to talk before he left again.

And he hadn’t killed anyone, because I asked him not to. That seemed like a good sign.

“You’re not trapped. The door doesn’t lock from the outside,” Enzo said.

“Okay. But you told your people not to look at me, smell me, or touch me. They’re going to pretend I don’t exist.”

He scoffed at me. “They know I meant sexually.”

“Are you sure about that?”

He stabbed his last chunk of scrambled eggs.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said quickly. “Your wolf wants them to pretend I’m invisible. Fine. But what am I supposed to do all day? I heard that you hunt rogue wolves. I’m not sure what that is. Am I supposed to join you, or—”

“No. You will never get near a rogue wolf.” His words were ferocious.

He felt strongly about it, apparently.

“Alright. I used to drive with Fletcher, working as a forest ranger with the Creeks. I can keep doing that, if you—”

“No. I don’t trust him to protect you.”

“He did it for twenty-six years. And—”

“My brother caught you, and Fletcher didn’t realize it until we—"

“Stop interrupting me!” My words were sharp.

He eyed me, almost warily. “Easy, Princess.”

“Says the guy who keeps growling at me.”

“Fine. Continue.”

I huffed. “I need something to do. I like to be busy. When I’m trapped inside, I get itchy. My wolf doesn’t like it. If you’re not going to let me work my old job, find me a new one, or let me find one myself.”

“I’ll consider it.” He set his fork down and stood, his side brushing against mine as he moved. He set his plate and fork in the dishwasher and ran his hands under the water.

I dropped my stuff in the sink and followed him as he made his way to the door. “What do you expect me to do all day? Despite what you seem to think, I’m not a princess. I like to work. I can’t stand being bored. I—”

“Your iPad is on the nightstand. I saw your library on it and plugged it in. Read something. Pretend it’s a vacation.”

With that, he stepped out and shut the door behind him.

I let out an annoyed huff, grabbing the doorknob and twisting it just to make sure it really wasn’t locked.

It twisted, and the door opened.

I poked my head out to see if anyone was guarding me or waiting outside again. They weren’t.

“If anyone sees your tits today, I’ll do more than choke them,” he called out, without looking back at me.

“Fuck you,” I muttered, closing the door.

I almost thought I heard him chuckle, but that couldn’t have been right.

I locked it and turned back to the room. My mood brightened a little when I did.

He didn’t say I couldn’t leave my room. He just wanted me to wear a bra if I did. Mine was in the laundry basket, but I knew where the washer and dryer were.

I would read a book at some point, but I wanted to look around first. Get a feel for the pack. See where they’d hidden their groupies.

I started a load of clothes. Part of me wanted to be a bitch and just wash my own, but that seemed like a waste of effort and water, so Enzo’s went in with them.

When that was done, I finished the dishes and reorganized the cabinets. There was no reason for half of the bowls to be in one cupboard while the other half were in another. The man just wasn’t organized.

When everything was in a better place, I wiped down the cabinets and cupboards, scrubbed the stove, and cleaned out the microwave. None of it was filthy, but it felt good to make it shine.

I swept the floor, then moved through the bedroom, picking up socks and clothes. They went into the hamper I’d emptied earlier.

I switched the laundry to the dryer, then focused on the bathroom. I wasn’t cleaning the Alpha’s toilet—I had to draw the line somewhere—but I had no problem giving the rest of it the same treatment I’d given the kitchen.

The tornado in the cabinets became a well-stocked thing of beauty. I didn’t find any conditioner, which was a bummer, but I’d find some when I went out to explore.

When the bathroom was clean, I checked the nightstand for signs of any of my other things, but only found a few. A photo album with pictures of my family was in one. I flipped through it, and found everything exactly where I left it. If he’d looked through, he hadn’t taken anything.

None of my toiletries were in the bathroom, and none of my clothes were in the closet. All of those things probably smelled too much like perfume. Enzo had probably tossed them out.

My clothes were dry, though, so I pulled them on and grabbed my iPad.

The Alpha had told me to read a book. If anyone got mad at me for walking around, him included, I’d pretend that I was just looking for a comfortable place to read.

He would sniff out the lie if it wasn’t true, so I really would keep an eye out for anywhere that looked like a nice spot to curl up with a book.

I headed out, fighting a grin.

At least I was trapped in a castle, instead of a tower.

seven

ASPEN

NO ONE MADE eye contact with me. No one even looked at me. When I said hi to a few of the men, they straight-up ignored me.

Dicks.

Then again, I knew exactly which dick was to blame for their behavior.

I still got a good feel for the layout of the Lodge, though. I found a few nice lounge areas, too. The top floor had a really nice one. The view from the balcony up there was amazing, and I planned to head back as soon as I finished checking out the land around the building. I’d noticed some nice furniture out there when I was on the other floors, so I wanted to see that.

But I’d noticed a large building down a paved path, too. The groupies and pack women had to be there, and I wanted to make sure they were being treated well.

If the king was holding human women captive, I needed to know so I could get the hell out of there, and take them with me.

Somehow.

I took the stairs down to the ground floor, and my phone finally buzzed with a text message. I’d asked Fletcher how things were going hours earlier.

Pulling it from my pocket, I read the message as I turned the corner to go down another flight.

FLETCHER

I’m fine

Ended up fighting a few challenges last night, but I won obviously. More on the schedule today

Fletch wouldn’t be killing the alpha wolves he beat. Alpha wolves who supported the leading Alpha made a pack much stronger.

But if they didn’t agree with him, they could and would keep challenging until they wore him down and he lost, or until he let someone else take control of the pack.

My stomach clenched.

ME

How bad are your injuries?

FLETCHER

Just bruises and a few cuts

No big deal

It was a big deal, though. Shifters healed faster than humans, but it wasn’t instantaneous. It would take a few days before he was back to full health, and that meant he would be fighting more challenges with those injuries.

ME

Are they going to back down?

FLETCHER

Don’t know

Hope so

I started typing out an apology as I rounded another turn, but just before I stepped down, I noticed a guy in the side of my vision and nearly had a heart attack.

I jerked away while I was in the process of stepping down—and lost my balance, entirely.

I went down so hard, there wasn’t even time to scream. My shoulder collided with the floor roughly a moment later, and I stared up at the staircase, dazed.

The guy who scared me was kneeling next to me a minute later, an “OH SHIT” expression on his face.

“I thought you heard me coming, I’m sorry. Are you—” he reached toward me, but hesitated.

“Fine. At least it was just one flight,” I mumbled.

“Shit.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “I’m grabbing Clay for help. I’d help you up myself, but with the Alpha’s orders…”

“It’s fine, I get it. Dick said not to touch me. Hunter would be better, though,” I mumbled.

He was the nice brother, even if he didn’t seem like it.

“Sure,” he said quickly.

I could feel dominance coming off him. He was an alpha. A powerful one. But one who answered to Enzo, apparently.

“Who the fuck texts while they walk down the stairs?” Hunter growled, striding out a door one flight above me not even a minute later. He took the steps two at a time and kneeled next to me when he reached the landing I was sprawled over. “Your ankle looks broken from the security cameras.”

“It’s fine,” I protested.

“It’s not fine. You fell down the stairs and wrecked your ankle.”

“I noticed.” I pushed myself up to a sitting position.

“Enzo’s busy with some rogues. I’ll let him know what happened when he’s done,” Hunter said, lifting me up to a sitting position. I winced as my ankle was moved.

Yeah, that hurt.

Maybe it was broken.

“I wasn’t trying to scare her,” the alpha wolf said. “I was on the other side of the stairs.”

“I know. I saw the security footage. You’re fine, don’t worry about it.”

Relief crossed his face. “Thanks.”

My phone buzzed.

The alpha looked down at it. “Screen’s broken, but Fletcher says he can handle the challenges. Fletcher Keys?”

“Yeah. My brother.” I rubbed a bruise on my head.

That was going to leave a bump. Hopefully it would fade fast.

His eyes brightened. “I knew him when we were teenagers. Creek Pack, right?”

“Yeah. Guess our birth dad used to be the Alpha there, before he and my mom passed. Jordan Fern.”

Understanding dawned in his eyes. “No shit, really?”

“Yeah.”

“Damn. Who’s challenging Etch?”

“Etch?”

“Everyone called him that when we were teenagers.” The alpha waved it off.

“I don’t know. A bunch of them. They found out he was hiding me, and they want him out.”

“You should bring him here. We have way more fun than the Creeks.”

Hunter prodded the swelling goose egg on my head, and I flinched. He said in a flat voice, “Lovely. My brother will be thrilled.”

I ignored him, lifting an eyebrow at the other alpha. “The Savage Pack is more fun than the Creek Pack? I have a hard time believing that.”

He grinned. “The Crimson Pack, actually. We wouldn’t have so many alpha wolves here if it wasn’t. Give me his number.”

He pulled his phone out.

Hunter prodded my shoulder. I gritted my teeth against the pain. “Quit it. I’m fine.”

“My brother is going to want a full description of your injuries when I break the news.”

“I wasn’t attacked, Hunter. I just fell down the stairs. I told you, I’m fine.”

He grabbed my ankle carefully, and I cursed.

Loudly.

“You’re not fine.”

Arguing seemed pointless.

He might actually be right.

“Even if it’s broken, it won’t take long to heal. A week max, probably.” I looked at Fletcher’s friend again. “Ready?”

“Yup.”

He put it in his phone as I rambled Fletch’s phone number.

“Got it. I’ll convince him. No alpha can handle a pack that doesn’t want him.”

“Except the king,” I pointed out.

The alpha snorted. “Every bastard in this pack would forfeit their life if he asked. He couldn’t get away from us if he wanted to.” He stood. “I’d help you to the doctor’s office, but Alpha won’t take my scent on your skin as well as he’ll take Hunter’s.”

“Chicken fucker,” Hunter muttered, shoving an arm under my legs just before he scooped me off the ground. A sharp cry of pain escaped me.

“You’re so afraid to piss him off that you won’t help me, but you like him?” I groaned, as Hunter carried me down the next flight of stairs.

The alpha grinned, walking with us. “The dynamics are weird here, but you’ll figure it out.”

“Does it have something to do with the groupies you have imprisoned in the building down the stone path?”

The alpha barked out a laugh. “There are no groupies within fifty miles of the Lodge. Or women at all, until yesterday. The bottom floor of that building is our gym. The other floors have more male wolves living on them. We outgrew the Lodge.”

I bit back another cry of pain as we turned a corner and my foot brushed the wall.

Hunter grunted an apology. “Doctor’s headed up now. Just a few minutes.”

“Why aren’t there women here?” I gritted out.

“Alpha doesn’t want the distraction, and he’s already in pain because of the pack’s link. We have to hit the bars in town when we need to find a woman.” The alpha wolf tapped his temple.

Five hundred wolves was a crazy amount, and he had more than that. It made sense that there would be some side effects. I hadn’t seen Enzo struggle with the pack yet, but it wasn’t like I’d spent much time with him.

“Anyway, I’ll deal with Etch for you. You want him here, right?” Fletcher’s friend asked.

“Of course. I don’t think there’s anywhere else for him to go, anyway, but he won’t come here until he reaches that conclusion himself.” I took a sharp breath in as my leg bobbed, courtesy of Hunter turning roughly to step through a doorway.

“No worries. Give me a few days, and I’ll make it happen.”

I nodded, pain taking the words out of my mouth.

Fletcher’s friend disappeared. I hadn’t learned his name, but that was fine.

“Don’t spend much time with Jake. Enzo respects him, but he can’t be here much. He won’t handle it well if you’re developing feelings for one of his alphas while he’s gone,” Hunter grunted.

“He’s the first person to talk to me all day. Everyone else is acting like I don’t exist.”

“No one wants to be the next to test Enzo’s limit with you. If he doesn’t hurt Jake, everyone will calm down about it.”

I sighed. “I didn’t grab my phone. Or my iPad.”

Hunter pulled them out of the big pockets on his cargo pants, and I accepted them gratefully. Both screens were cracked below the screen protectors, but I didn’t have the money to replace them, so I’d make do.

The door opened, and a man stepped through. I didn’t recognize him, but he was clearly an alpha too. He wasn’t wearing a lab coat, but I assumed he was the doctor when Hunter stepped over to him and gave a quick rundown of what had happened.

The doctor lifted his hand to his chin and studied me. “I can’t touch her without the Alpha’s permission, of course.”

“One of the rogues in the north went rabid, and he’s out hunting him. Do you want to be the one who distracts him right now?”

“Of course not.”

“Do you want to be the one who didn’t help his mate after she broke her ankle, then?”

He scowled at Hunter. “Of course not.”

“Then fix her.” He gestured toward me.

“You’ll need to stay to attest that I didn’t mishandle her. And I’ll have to wipe my scent off her with alcohol afterward.”

Jake had to be wrong about the pack liking Enzo, because the doctor was clearly terrified of making him think he had intruded on his territory or whatever.

Hunter plopped down in a chair off to the side of the flat bed he’d placed me on and pulled his phone out of another pocket.

“You’re the Gamma, right?” I asked Hunter.

It seemed pretty obvious. Gammas were usually the observant, careful ones. Betas were the friendly, outgoing ones most of the time. That wasn’t always true, but most of the time it was.

“Yeah.” He typed something into his phone, his fingers moving quickly.

Didn’t want to talk, I guess.

“Are people mad that he claimed me?”

He grunted.

It sounded noncommittal.

I was pretty sure that meant he didn’t know.

“No one’s angry.” The doctor prodded my ankle, and I sucked in a breath as tears stung my eyes. “Well, maybe a few. Not angry at him. Angry that he has you, and they don’t. We’ve seen many alpha wolves go insane because they’ve been mateless for too long.”

My forehead creased. “That’s a thing?”

“It’s what makes wolves rogue, and eventually, rabid.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Rogues are werewolves who have been lost to their wolves. They never shift back. They’re not any more violent than normal wild wolves, but they always turn into rabids. And rabids are out for blood. When they’ve turned, they kill quickly and without rhyme or reason. We hunt rogues to prevent them from becoming rabids, but there are too many.”

“How many?”

“We estimate at least five thousand. Ten wouldn’t be a surprise.”

Fuck.

“That’s why Enzo’s not here?”

The doctor nodded. “The Alpha tries to handle most of the killing on his own, to spare the rest of us.”

“And succeeds,” his brother said.

“What does the rest of the pack do, then? There are so many of you.”

“Us,” the doctor corrected, gesturing to my neck, and the mark there. “You’re one of us now.”

My throat welled with emotion. What emotion it was, I couldn’t say. I didn’t even know whether it was good or bad.

“I’m going to save us the trouble of larger scans and just use an ultrasound on this. It’s clearly broken, and will heal fine given what you are, but I’ll need pictures to show the Alpha when he gets back.”

“I really don’t think he’ll care that much,” I protested.

“He’ll care.” The doctor opened a cabinet and dug around for a moment before pulling the device out. He unpackaged a disinfectant cloth. “I’m sure you can’t get diseases any more than we can, but I don’t want to report to him that I wasn’t careful.”

“Okay.”

I eyed the machine. It was surprisingly small, and looked modern. “It’s going to hurt when you put that over my ankle.”

“Probably.” He brought it over. “I’ll be as gentle as possible.”

I squeezed my eyes shut as he pressed lightly but firmly to my skin. My eyes stung, and I bit my cheek.

“Most of the pack patrols the forest to watch for rogues and keep track of them. When one goes rabid, they hear about it immediately. Some members of the pack run the city’s police department. Most of them are the older, more trusted wolves. I’m technically an officer, but I work with the lab team currently.”

“Lab team?” I barely got the words out.

“We’re trying to figure out a way to alter werewolf DNA so it’s compatible with females. I’m sure you’re aware that the first male wolves were made in a lab, by human scientists. They purposefully created us not to be able to produce female werewolves, so they could control us.”

I did know that. Everyone knew that.

The doctor pulled the device away from my ankle, and I let out a shaky breath, eyes still stinging.

“All done. I’ll just wrap it up and put it in a boot. You usually heal at the same speed as a male wolf, yes?”

“Faster,” I admitted.

He made a noise of interest. “For reproductive reasons, I imagine.”

I had no idea.

“I’d like a sample of your blood, if possible.”

Hunter growled, but the doctor went on without acknowledging the sound.

“If we could isolate the strand of your DNA that allows your wolf to exist, we could turn the willing pack females, and the groupies. By doing so, we could solve many of our society’s problems. We wouldn’t go rogue, because we would have mates to ground us. Theoretically, packs would be much more stable under an Alpha pair. We—”

“If you want to take her blood, you’ll need to talk to the Alpha,” Hunter said firmly.

If the doctor could figure out a way to turn human women with science, I would be so much safer. I wouldn’t have to spend my life in a lab. I’d never have to worry about any of that, ever again.

Enzo could even choose another mate.

Maybe I could actually be free.

There was a chance he would realize that something in my blood, or saliva, made it possible for me to turn them myself, but that seemed unlikely. I didn’t understand how genetics or DNA worked, but I was fairly confident it wasn’t as simple as finding blaring signs in my genes that said, “USE ME TO MAKE MORE WOMEN”.

But what if it was?

What if they trapped me, and the Alpha agreed to it?

I couldn’t give them my blood. Not if I didn’t know for sure that I was going to be safe. If I was a better person, maybe I would be willing to sacrifice my life for the good of all werewolves.

But I wasn’t.

Not in a pack I didn’t know, surrounded by people I didn’t trust.

Not when it could lead to a lifetime of pain, torture, and abuse.

If I really mated with Enzo, and I knew his wolf would protect me no matter what, then I would think about it. But I didn’t know that. I didn’t even think that.

So, it was out of the question for the moment.

“I’ll think about it,” I said honestly, ignoring Hunter’s warning.

The doctor smiled. “Thank you. I’m sure the Alpha will consider it too.” He grabbed a bandage and sat beside me with a stack of alcohol wipes. “This is probably going to hurt too, but I need to wrap your foot. It would heal fine on its own without interference, but you’re likely to reinjure it if you walk around without a bandage.”

“I’m ready.”

He started, and I closed my eyes again. Tears leaked out of the corners as he slowly wrapped the injury, pausing to wipe the fabric down constantly. I didn’t think he needed to be as thorough as he was, but I wasn’t going to argue with him while he held my broken ankle in his hand.

The doctor gave me details about their rotations and stations as he wrapped it, telling me how they looked for wolves who may be close to going rogue, and staging interventions with their packs when possible.

There were just too many of them.

The population of Crimson River was more than eighty thousand, and it was growing rapidly. We lived a very long time, and as more groupies came to town, more wolf pups were born. And since we were always born in multiples, we definitely didn’t struggle with reproduction.

Staying alive and sane seemed to be much more difficult.

He put my bandaged ankle in a boot and gave me a bottle of werewolf-strength painkillers before Hunter helped me hobble back toward Enzo’s room.

“Does he know?” I gritted out.

My wolf was curled up in my abdomen, hiding from the pain with her paws over her face. She wasn’t interested in coming out at the moment.

“He knows.” My head turned slightly as Clay reached us and pulled my free arm around his shoulder, taking the other half of my weight. It was such a relief, I could’ve cried. “He’s snarling at everyone, but they took down the rabid and are making quick work of the remaining rogues. It’s about a two-hour drive from where they are right now, but I imagine they’ll be back around three or four.”

My stomach clenched.

The idea of them killing sane wolves who were trapped in their fur was just… sickening. If the wolves were going to turn rabid, I did understand why they were doing it, but still. It was horrible.

Knowing I might be able to help was more horrible. I had never tried turning someone as an adult, or even a teenager. It had almost killed me as an infant, but I might be able to manage it without dying now that I was older.

I didn’t know for sure, though.

And they could lock me up for the ability, if they knew about it.

I was in too much pain to think about sharing it.

I needed to focus on figuring out what to do about my Alpha situation first.

They turned down the wrong hallway, and I frowned. “Where are we going?”

“He wants us to feed you,” Clay explained.

Ah.

“Can he talk to me mentally?” I asked, curious.

“He added you to the pack, so I’m sure he can. It just causes him less pain to talk to us.”

I frowned. “Why does it cause him pain?”

Clay shrugged. “Too many wolves. Not enough Enzo.”

I frowned and looked at Hunter for a better explanation, but he just grunted at me.

We reached the dining room, and Enzo’s brothers lowered me into a chair. Hunter propped my boot up on an empty one across from me, and my eyes stung with the motion.

“Did you take the meds?” Clay checked.

“She refused,” Hunter grumbled.

“I don’t want my mind scrambled by medication around people I don’t know.”

I flinched as a new feeling seemed to blaze to life in my mind.

That didn’t feel great.

Didn’t seem like a great sign, either.

The sting of it faded quickly, and Enzo demanded in my mind, “Take the medication.”

There was dominance behind the words, but it rolled off me like always. “I’m surrounded by people I don’t know, and they’re all stronger than me. I’m not taking it.”

“Stubborn little Princess,” he snarled at me.

“I’m nearly six feet tall. No one has ever called me little in their life, and you’re not starting now. Get out of my head.”

“Take the medication, and I will.”

“I’m fine, Alpha. Back off.”

“You call me Enzo, or Mate. You are not my lesser.”

“Then stop ordering me around and telling people not to look at me.” I was done fighting with him.

There was too much other shit going on.

I closed my eyes and let out a long breath as he snapped at me again. When I didn’t respond, he finally pulled out of my mind. That strange mental pathway he’d left remained, though.

“Fighting with him gets you nowhere,” Clay said, matter-of-factly. “We’ve been trying our whole lives.”

“Has he claimed either of you as his mate?” I shot back.

Neither of them answered.

“Then don’t try to stop me from fighting with him. I’m not going to roll over and present for the bastard. I’m not here to serve him. I don’t know why he wants me, but whatever his reason, I’m never going to be a quiet little princess who follows his orders without question.”

They didn’t reply to that, either.

I didn’t bother telling them that I was going to take the medicine as soon as I was safely locked in the Alpha’s room. They didn’t need to know that shit, and I didn’t want Enzo to know either. Not after he went to the trouble of connecting our minds to try to force me to submit to him.

eight

ASPEN

I WAS drowsy from the meds when Enzo stormed into the room. His expression was stony but determined as he checked my body for bruises, his fingers light and gentle on the painful spots. When he pulled my shirt up to look for bruises, his expression was clinical. And when he realized I was wearing my bra, he tore the fabric off my body so he could see me better.

I drifted back to sleep as he pulled the boxer-briefs away from my ass, still just checking for bruises. After the night we’d spent together when I was naked in bed, I wasn’t particularly concerned with him seeing my body. If he’d wanted to hurt me, he would’ve done it while I was asleep the night before.

Over the next few hours, I only woke up a few times.

When he ran his hand lightly over my hair, murmuring something inaudible.

When he knocked a pan against something in the kitchen, making a loud noise.

When the smell of steak cooking was so overwhelmingly delicious that I sat up, and he brought the food to me in bed.

“I can go to the table,” I croaked.

Enzo glowered at me, and I looked down at the meat.

He’d already cut it for me.

That was… something.

Maybe something sweet.

He stabbed a chunk of steak with a fork and lifted it to my lips.

“You don’t have to—ooh.” He put the steak in my mouth, cutting me off.

Wow.

Yumm.

I hadn’t realized how hungry I was, but I was starving.

I chewed the meat and reached for the fork, but he knocked my hand away and fed me another bite.

And another.

And another.

Potatoes followed when the meat was gone.

Steamed broccoli, too.

Then more steak, when I was still hungry.

“You took the medicine,” he said, finally running a hand over the top of my hair as sleep weighed down my eyelids again. His touch was stiff, and not entirely natural, but felt nice anyway.

“When I was safe,” I agreed sleepily.

His chest rumbled. “You’re safe with my pack, Princess.”

“I’m safe with you.”

“Always.” His hand ran over my hair again. It felt more natural that time. “I need you to take another pill. The pain’s going to come back if you don’t.”

“Mmkay.”

He pressed the pill to my lips, followed by a straw.

I swallowed the medication, and heard a quiet sigh that I thought I might’ve imagined.

“Can you take my bra off? It’s uncomfy.” I mumbled.

“If you ever ask anyone else that question, they will die.”

I laughed sleepily.

My drugged-up self saw no problem with his possessiveness.

He eased the bra carefully over my tits, maneuvered my arms through, and pulled it over my head. “That’s harder than it looks.”

“Mmhm.”

“Feel better now?”

“Yeah.” I wrapped my fingers around his arm and lifted my leg over his waist like I had the night before. He caught it before it could crash down, and lowered it slowly to the bed.

“Careful, Princess.”

“I want a crown.”

He chuckled, moving his hand lightly over the curve of my hip. “You don’t need one. Everyone already knows who you are.”

“Some of them don’t like me,” I whispered.

“If they make you feel unwelcome, you give me their names.”

“If I had a crown, I wouldn’t need to.”

His chest rumbled. “How about a mate mark?”

“I don’t want to be mated. I want to be a bird.”

“A bird?”

“They’re free,” I mumbled into his arm. “Towers are stupid.”

“Towers?”

“I hate them.” My face twisted with emotion.

“No more towers.” He smoothed my hair again. I didn’t think he even knew what I was saying, but he was trying to make me feel comfortable. And it was working.

“Promise?”

“Yeah, Princess. No towers.”

My lips curved upward, and I fell back asleep.

I WAS WRAPPED around Enzo’s body again the next time I woke up. My face contorted as pain shot through my ankle.

He pressed medicine to my lips. “Take this.”

I parted my lips for the pill, and a straw followed again, so I could swallow it down with water.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“Almost five.”

I groaned. “I should be feeling better by now.”

“You kicked my leg in your sleep, with your bad foot.”

I moved a little, and he pinned me to his chest, grumbling at me. Something about the weight and pressure of his arms relaxed me, and I fell back asleep quickly.

IT HAD to be lunch time when deep, gnawing hunger finally forced me to wake up. I opened my bleary eyes and stared up at the ceiling. I was on my back, tangled up in Enzo’s perfect, fancy blankets, sweating like mad.

Logic told me he had probably slipped out to go hunting again. I had hurt my ankle, but it really wasn’t that big of a deal. It would be healed soon. He’d stayed the night because I was in his room, but—

A man sat down beside me.

My eyes closed as I took his scent in.

My wolf rumbled in her sleep, still out cold.

He wasn’t hunting rogues. He was with me.

I threw an arm over my eyes, and realized I was topless when my boobs bounced.

Oops.

“Did I really ask you to take my bra off?” I asked.

He made a noise of confirmation.

I sighed. “You should’ve said no.”

“You were uncomfortable.”

“You wanted to see my boobs.”

“Anyone with a sex drive would want to see those perfect tits, Princess, but I didn’t take it off to give myself a show.”

I shouldn’t have believed him, but I did.

“Here.” He helped me sit up, and tugged fabric over my head. When I opened my eyes, I realized it was one of his white tank tops. It wouldn’t hide much, but it was better than nothing. And I was pretty sure I’d worn all of his t-shirts already.

“I washed your clothes,” I said, running a hand over my face.

He set a plate down on my lap. “I noticed. You moved my dishes, too.”

“I organized them. There’s no reason to have half the forks in one drawer and half in another.”

“They’re different sizes. I don’t like the small ones.”

“You can still tell which is which when they’re in the same drawer. You just need one of those utensil sorting things.”

He picked up the fork and stabbed a chunk of pancake with it.

Pancakes, sausage, and bacon for breakfast?

Heaven.

I had entered heaven.

All I had to do was fall down some stairs to find it.

When I put a bite in my mouth, I legitimately groaned.

Enzo paid for the good syrup. The real kind.

Forget heaven. I had entered paradise.

And it came with a sexy, possessive grump of a man.

“I know your wolf decided he wants me to be your mate, but that doesn’t mean we have to share a bed. It definitely doesn’t mean you need to take care of me. I—”

“Fell down the stairs.”

“Well, yes. But—”

“Can’t walk on your own.”

“That will only last a few days. And—”

“Are covered in bruises so mottled, you look diseased.”

I blinked, not having a comeback for that one.

I glanced down at my arm, and grimaced. It really did look like I had some kind of disease.

“Just eat the food, Princess.” He leaned back against the bedframe and watched me.

Fighting seemed pointless at the moment, so I took another bite and had to close my eyes.

Yeah, pancakes were better than sex. Way better than sex.

“I saw the scans. Your ankle is going to take around a week and a half to heal. Hansen says you think it’ll go faster because you’re a woman.”

“I know it will. I heal faster than men,” I said, around a bite of pancake.

“I heard.”

“It’ll still probably take five or six days. Hard to say for sure. I’ve never broken a bone before.”

“I heard that too. Fletcher is chatty when you’re injured.”

“Something tells me you’re not.”

He didn’t respond to that.

I’d hit the nail on the head.

“I’ll be fine,” I told him. “I’ll find a comfortable chair on the top floor balcony, and—”

“You’re staying here.”

I blinked.

“In our room. Where you can’t get hurt.”

I blinked again.

He stood up. “My cops are dealing with something in town. I need to talk to them. My office is down the hall. Text me if you need anything.”

I blinked a third time.

Enzo strode out of the apartment, leaving me alone.

What the hell?

I stabbed another bite of my pancakes. They were too good to stop eating them, and it wasn’t their fault my mate was a dick.

Er, not my mate.

The guy who’d abducted me.

I was already starting to believe what he claimed about me being his. My wolf was definitely in agreement.

Not a great sign.

I eased my foot to the floor and started to stand up, but as soon as I did, my arm stopped abruptly.

What the hell?

I looked back at it—and realized it had been tied to the bedframe.

Tied.

To the bedframe.

With rope.

My phone was on the nightstand, alongside my iPad mini. It had been horribly cracked the last time I saw it and now had a perfectly smooth screen, but that didn’t register as I typed the code in and texted Enzo.

ME

What the hell?

I can’t even get to the toilet

ENZO

I don’t want you on your feet without assistance

ME

I don’t remember asking what you wanted, Alpha

ENZO

I don’t remember caring whether you asked, Princess

Eat your food

ME

Screw off

ENZO

Read a book and relax

You’re on vacation, remember?

ME

This isn’t a fucking vacation

Stop giving me orders

ENZO

Stop calling me Alpha, then

ME

We both know that’s not why you’re doing it

ENZO

Let me know when you’re ready for help getting to the bathroom

I glared down at my phone.

He was such a pain.

I eyed the rope connecting my wrist to the bed.

He clearly wasn’t expecting me to shift my hand and cut through it. And I didn’t want him to replace the rope with chains. That would be bad.

So I sent another text.

ME

Let’s make a truce

ENZO

I’m not negotiating.

ME

You said yourself that you’re not locking me in the room. I think that includes chains. And I have claws, so I can get through this rope at any point.

The dots appeared, like he was typing something.

The message didn’t come through.

I waited.

Finally, it came.

ENZO

What do you want?

ME

No rope. I go to the bathroom by myself, obviously. I’ll agree to sitting around and staying in the room for the most part while I heal, if you unlock our porch so I can sit outside when I want to.

ENZO

In what way do I benefit from this?

ME

I let you fuss over me as much as you want without too much complaining

ENZO

I’m not fussing

ME

Sure you aren’t

ENZO

My wolf won’t allow anything else

ME

Then the deal would work out pretty well for you

Another moment passed before he sent another message.

ENZO

Fine, break the rope and use the bathroom yourself. I’ll be in and out to check on you.

ME

K

How long is your wolf going to be like this?

ENZO

Fuck if I know

ME

Is the rabid situation going to escalate without you? I don’t want to be the reason people die

ENZO

No.

My pack can handle it. I just don’t usually let them.

ME

Why not?

ENZO

Finish your breakfast. I’ll be in to make lunch soon.

I let out a sigh, but listened.

If I wanted to piss without an Alpha listening in, I was just going to have to follow some orders.

nine

ASPEN

THE NEXT FEW days passed quickly.

Enzo didn’t let me help him cook, and he never stayed long.

We slept together at night, though I was wearing his tank top and a pair of boxer-briefs at all times, so there was never anything sexual to it.

Other than his erection, and my body’s response. We both pretended those didn’t exist.

No matter how I went to sleep, I always woke up clinging to him, with my wolf purring.

I read books on my iPad mini. Enzo wouldn’t admit to fixing my cracked devices, but we both knew he had done it. My old, broken electronics had been swapped for newer models without cracks, and someone had transferred all of my stuff so they functioned identically to the old ones.

Enzo had either bought them or asked Hunter to do it, and Hunter made them functional. He was the techy one.

Three days passed, then four, before I couldn’t stay sane in the room any longer.

My wolf was restless.

My ankle wasn’t perfect, but it was healed enough that she didn’t see any point in waiting around.

Enzo left after breakfast on day four, like he had been doing. As soon as he was gone, I pulled my boot off and slipped out of bed.

The Alpha was going to be pissed that I removed it without permission, but it was my ankle.

After a pitstop in the bathroom, I walked carefully to the closet, planning to grab one of his long-sleeved shirts. He brought me a clean pair of boxer-briefs and a tank top every morning, but I wasn’t about to walk around the Lodge in one of those thin t-shirts. They weren’t entirely see-through, but they definitely weren’t opaque.

And Enzo would lose his shit if anyone else saw my tits. That had been made pretty clear.

I flipped the light on in the closet as I stepped inside, then stopped.

And blinked.

And blinked again.

There were clothes hanging up. Colored clothes. Women’s clothes.

It didn’t take a genius to know who they were for.

Or who had put them there.

But when had Enzo brought them in? I would’ve noticed him hanging up an entire wardrobe of clothing, wouldn’t I?

And it was an entire wardrobe. More than a wardrobe. I definitely hadn’t had that many clothing options when I lived with Fletcher.

Very few clothes ever fit me properly right out of the store. My legs were too long. My waist wasn’t small. I was built strong, not skinny. Not curvy either, even though my boobs were far from small. Just… muscular. Like a male werewolf.

I ran a hand over the top of my hair. It needed to be washed, but the Alpha had made it very clear that if I tried to take a bath without him, things would not go my way. Bathing with his help sounded awful, so I’d just thrown my hair in a bun on top of my head and piled on the deodorant every day.

It wasn’t ideal, but very few things in my life had ever been ideal.

Uncomfortable conversations would happen if none of the clothes he’d apparently gone out to buy for me fit. I’d just have to suck it up.

At least he’d bought me clothes. That was more than I expected from him, and it was sweet. I thought I was going to have to beg or argue to get him to take me shopping.

Ill-fitted clothes were far better than the boxer-briefs he’d never worn and see-through tank tops

My phone rang on the nightstand, and I padded back to it. When I saw my brother’s name and face on the screen, I lifted it to my ear immediately. He had given short, bland responses to any questions about how he was doing, so I was worried about him.

“Hey, Fletch. What’s up?”

“Hey.” There was a moment of silence. It was almost awkward, which was weird. Things were never awkward for us.

He finally let out a long breath.

“Fletcher?”

“Are you okay? How’s the ankle healing?” he was clearly avoiding whatever he’d called to tell me.

“It’s fine. I took the boot off.”

“Already? Does the Alpha know?”

“Not yet.”

“Put it back on, Aspen.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m fine. What are you avoiding talking about?”

“The Alpha is deadly. You know that. Don’t risk angering him,” Fletcher growled.

“He’s not deadly to me. He’ll be pissed, but he’ll get over it. We have a truce.”

“The truce where you let him take care of you and he lets you walk around the room instead of chaining you to the bed?” Fletcher drawled.

“It’s better than it sounds,” I said, lips twisting in a grimace.

Maybe the situation was worse than I’d started to believe. Maybe reading too many spicy romance books had made me think weird situations were normal.

Whoops.

No going back, though.

“I doubt that,” Fletcher said.

“Just spit out whatever you’re trying to say. His brothers monitor my phone. Someone’s probably listening to us right now.”

“Fine. I was fighting in Creek for a few days. Finally lost two days ago. Spent yesterday trying to find some wolves to join my pack, but didn’t have any luck. My wolf is restless. I’ll have to figure something out in the next few days, both job-wise and pack-wise.”

I sat down on the edge of the bed. “You should’ve told me.”

“There was nothing you could do.”

“Like hell there wasn’t. Enzo is overbearing, but he listens to me. I can get you a place here. I—”

“He’s trapped you there, Aspen. If I move in, neither of us will ever get out.”

Fletcher wasn’t wrong.

And even though my wolf was so much more content in the king’s pack, I was still trapped there. By a king who insisted on taking care of me as if I really was his mate.

I wasn’t stupid enough to think I’d find a way out anymore. Or that I necessarily needed to. Enzo was deadly, but not to me. The man didn’t want me the way the wolf did, but he wasn’t fighting his beast on it. He was taking care of me for him.

He'd been cooking me three meals a day—three delicious meals—and still hadn’t brought up my request to work. It wasn’t the life I wanted to live, being the king’s useless mate. He probably just wanted me to breed with him so he could have strong pups like him and his brothers.

He knew I wanted a job and liked to stay busy, but he hadn’t brought it up yet. I hoped we’d get to the point where I could, but he wasn’t exactly receptive to anything I said.

And he didn’t know that I had an IUD. That I definitely wouldn’t be getting pregnant in the next few years.

I definitely wouldn’t be the one who told him that.

Especially not when I only had two days left until my heat would start.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated to my brother, shaking away thoughts of heat.

That was tomorrow’s problem.

“Don’t apologize for him.”

“What’s your plan?” I changed the subject, not wanting him to say anything about the Alpha that might get him hurt or killed. I didn’t think Enzo’s wolf would hurt my brother, because he was so particular about caring for me, but there was still a chance.

I didn’t really know anything about the Alpha other than that he was possessive, thought I was his mate, and was deeply respected by his pack for killing rogue wolves who would otherwise kill innocent people.

Fletcher scoffed. “You gave my number to Jake. He’s been trying to convince me to join your king’s pack.”

“He’s not my king,” I said.

But he kind of was.

“I’ll spend the next few days trying to join a new pack. I found a few leads in a gritty bar last night. Wanted posters for packs looking for wolves. Most of them already have Alphas, but I’ll reach out anyway.”

If Fletcher was a normal alpha wolf, he wouldn’t have a hard time finding one. Alphas who agreed to follow another Alpha made a pack much stronger.

But Fletch was too strong to join in that capacity. If he found a pack, he was going to have to lead it. And most packs weren’t looking for a leader.

Considering how big Crimson River was, it was very simple to abandon a pack if an Alpha you didn’t like took over.

If Fletcher just went into a pack guns-blazing and challenged the Alpha, people would leave, and he’d be in the same situation he was already in.

Alone.

Packless.

With a flailing wolf.

“Fletch…” I trailed off.

He grunted. “I’m fine, Aspen. I’ll figure it out.”

“It’s just that I’ve heard about a lot of werewolves going rogue,” I said, my voice growing quieter. I wasn’t sure whether or not the Alpha’s brothers would let me talk about that with someone outside the pack. “They get lost to their wolves. It’s a serious proble—”

The line went dead.

A text came through my phone, and I looked down at the screen.

UNKNOWN

Don’t talk about that

The message had to be from Hunter.

My chest tightened.

ME

Fine, I won’t

I called Fletcher back, lifting the phone to my ear again.

“What happened?” he growled.

“Nothing. I’m not supposed to talk about the king’s business. Anyway, just be careful. If you feel yourself slipping, come find me. I’ll get you into the pack if Jake can’t.”

“I won’t have you ask him for a favor from me. We have no idea what he’d demand in exchange.”

Fletcher had a point.

Enzo had never made me trade anything for clothes, meals, or medical care, but those things were kind of required if he was going to make me mate with him. Letting my brother into the pack to save his life wasn’t.

“I can survive one favor, Fletch. You were kicked out of Creek because of me. Just—”

“I’ve got to go. I’ll update you when I’ve found another pack. Love you.” His voice was gruff.

He was sad, even if he didn’t want to admit it. He’d spent so many years in the Creek Pack as a teenager, taming his wolf and forcing the beast to follow another Alpha. He had only been allowed there because of our adoptive parents’ influence. We’d been apart for a while, then. It wasn’t until he finally took over the pack that we’d deemed it safe enough for me to move with him.

“Love you too.”

He hung up as soon as I got the words out, and I let out a shaky breath.

If he wasn’t going to join the Crimson Pack, there was only one choice left.

Silas.

Another shaky breath escaped me.

Calling Silas was a bad idea, considering the possessive Alpha whose brother was probably listening in on my calls. But Fletcher would never ask him for help.

I squeezed my eyes shut for a long moment, and padded back to the closet.

I’d call him after I was dressed, just in case Enzo came blazing in while I talked to him. I definitely couldn’t risk the Alpha thinking I was making any kind of a romantic phone call. Silas would die. Enzo had already hurt him more than anyone else he’d attacked because of me.

I went back into the closet and looked through the clothes. Strangely enough, they looked almost the same as my old ones. The sports bras were the same size, though the fabric felt softer and nicer, and I lifted my eyebrows at the brand’s logo.

The cropped, sporty jackets and sweatshirts I preferred were similar cuts and colors to my old ones, too. The leggings all had pockets, like my old ones. The spandex shorts and running shorts were cut perfectly. When I held them up to my legs, they actually looked like they might be the lengths I needed. And they were all the same dark, neutral shades I preferred.

Even the oversized t-shirts he’d supplied had the same bands on them that I preferred and listened to.

Wow.

I was probably wrong about the lengths being right. And the sizes being perfect. And the clothes being crazy expensive. He would’ve had to spend a small fortune to buy me that many clothes in the brands he seemed to have gone with. They were probably knockoffs.

I pulled on a sports bra and nearly groaned at the feel of the fabric.

Fuck me, it was so much softer than anything else I’d ever worn.

A jacket followed it. A thong and leggings, too, since I wasn’t going for a run and didn’t need the spandex.

All of them were stupidly comfortable.

I googled the brand I thought the logo matched, and stared down at the price with wide eyes.

Crap.

I definitely wasn’t going to look in the closet and do that mental math. It would probably make me sick.

I wasn’t a kept woman. I worked. I paid for my own stuff. Most of my money was trapped in the pack accounts like Fletcher’s, but I had saved a little that only I could access.

Accepting the clothing, which was basically a gift, would mean I owed the king.

I couldn’t do that.

But I couldn’t reject the clothes, either.

We needed to talk. To have a conversation about what it meant to him.

That would have to wait until after I talked to Silas, though.

I closed my eyes and leaned up against the closet wall. The smell of Enzo with a hint of his mostly-scentless laundry detergent mixed deliciously in the small room, making my feel slightly better about the coming conversation.

Nothing would truly ease it, though.

Talking to Silas was never comfortable. The past haunted all of us too much for that.

I hit the button to call him, and bit my lip as it rang.

There was a real chance he would ignore me. Considering what Enzo had done to him, I wouldn’t blame him even slightly. Hell, even before that, I wouldn’t have blamed him.

Our family’s connection was messy.

Dark.

Uncomfortable.

The heats we’d spent together were only the tip of the iceberg.

He answered right before it went to voicemail. “Aspen.”

A lump swelled in my throat. “Hey. How are you feeling?”

I didn’t need to explain why I was asking.

He knew I was the reason the king had shown up at his doorstep and beat the shit out of him. Fletcher would’ve told him everything Enzo hadn’t already said.

“I’m fine. Are you okay?”

“Oh, I’m great.”

He chuckled. It was tense, and there was no humor behind it. “What do you need?”

“Not me. Fletcher. Did he tell you the Creeks overthrew him?”

“What?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “The king told them what I am. I think he’s telling everyone. Because I lived with him, they were angry. The alpha wolves challenged him over and over until someone won. I don’t know who.”

“Has he found another pack?”

“No. He seems to have lost the trust of everyone who knows what I am.”

Silas let out a long breath. “Great.”

“Yeah. I know your wolf and his don’t get along, but if there’s any way you can let him join, just until he…” I trailed off as the bedroom door opened, then closed. Hard.

Not good.

Enzo strode into the closet, stepping in front of me and plucking the phone from my hand. Instead of lifting it to his ear like I expected, he hit the button to put it on speaker.

My body tensed.

He wanted to hear Silas talk to me, without the other man knowing he was on the line. There would be no flirting or anything, but he could hear something I didn’t want him to.

Maybe a few somethings I didn’t want him to.

“I would if I could, but my wolf would never be able to relax if he was here. One of us would end up dead sooner, rather than later. You may need to bargain with the king. I know he collects dominant alphas.”

“I get it. Thanks anyway.”

“Is it safe to assume that he’ll be the one rutting you?”

My face flushed.

Shit.

I pulled my gaze away from Enzo’s.

“Yeah, you’re off the hook.”

Even Enzo, in his insane possessiveness, couldn’t have mistaken Silas’s relieved breath following my response.

“Mom wants me to make sure you know that if he’s hurting you, we’ll figure out a way to free you.”

That was exactly what I wanted the king to hear.

“His wolf wants me as his mate. He hasn’t hurt me. He can’t. He won’t,” I said. Honestly, I believed it.

“Even if he does, you need to tell them you’re fine,” Silas said.

My eyes lifted back to the Alpha’s. “I know. I’ve got to go.”

“Alright. Sorry about Fletcher.”

He didn’t sound sorry.

We both knew he really wasn’t sorry.

And I didn’t even blame him for it. In his position, I wouldn’t have been sorry either.

“Sorry about the king’s visit,” I said.

He grunted, and hung up.

Enzo took the phone out of my hand and put it in his pocket, rage still burning in his eyes.

He took a step toward me. I was already leaning against the wall, so there was nowhere to go. “Explain, Princess.”

“Fletcher’s pack doesn’t trust him anymore, and challenged him until—”

“Not that.” His voice was sharp.

“You’re going to have to clarify, because you could be referring to any number of things that were said.”

“He was relieved not to spend heat with you.”

“Oh. That.” My heart pounded.

Emotions I didn’t want to feel surged to the surface. I fought hard to keep them at bay.

“Aspen,” he warned.

“We were raised together. We’re not blood-related, but he’s only a few weeks older than us, and we grew up together. Neither of us was ever interested in each other. He screwed me every month because he had to, not because he wanted to or enjoyed it.”

There was no way around the pleasure. Not during heat. But when the lust died down, shame and guilt always followed.

Silas hated me. Not loudly, and he wasn’t cruel about it, but he did. I would’ve hated me too in his shoes.

“Why can’t their wolves handle each other?” Enzo asked.

Now, we were getting into the darker shit.

“Things happened in the past. A long time ago. They’ve been at odds ever since. I don’t want to say any more than that.”

He took another step toward me.

With a deep breath in, our chests would meet.

“I’m not asking.”

“Good, because I’m not telling you.”

His chest vibrated in warning. “Great. I’ve been itching to pay another visit to the Stone Pack.”

My body stiffened.

That was a clear threat. Not to me, but to Silas.

That bastard was smart enough to know that there was only one way to force me to answer him.

And fuck, I hated him for that.

I hated that he was big enough and strong enough to force me to give him what he wanted. That he could trap me. Cage me. Make me breakfast, then come in here and demand I tell him horrible things from my past.

My fists clenched, my body trembling.

“Silas had a twin brother. Simon.” My voice shook even more than my body. “He died the first time I went into heat. Silas rightfully resents me and Fletcher for it.”

The Alpha studied me, his anger fading slightly.

Finally, he let out a harsh breath and grabbed me by the waist. Instead of throwing me over his shoulder like he had in the past, he just lifted me a few inches off the floor and carried me into the kitchen.

ten

ASPEN

ENZO SET me on the counter, lifting my wrapped ankle onto the countertop. The surface had grown dirty with crumbs since I wiped it down a few days ago, but that was the last thing on my mind.

“You shouldn’t have taken off the boot without another scan,” he said.

“It’s healed. I’m fine.” My words were short.

“Not until the doctor agrees.”

He’d surprised me by calming down, but I hadn’t forgotten the way he threatened me in the closet.

I watched as he filled a mug halfway with whole milk and put it in the microwave after dropping what looked like a large chocolate ball in it. He pulled a few dishes out of the dishwasher and put them away while the mug heated, and I watched him move.

He was clearly still angry, though significantly less than before.

When the microwave beeped, he pulled the mug out and stirred the glass. I watched as strings of chocolate slowly combined with the milk, creating a scent that had me drooling a little.

I was only slightly surprised when he put it in my hands.

Feeding me seemed to be his default. I didn’t have a problem with that, even though it seemed strange that he cooked everything himself instead of eating his own pack’s food. Maybe it wasn’t fancy enough or something.

“You can’t just barge in on my conversations. That’s an invasion of privacy,” I said.

“Mates don’t have privacy when it comes to conversations with past lovers.”

I scowled. “We aren’t mates yet. And you don’t let me see or use your phone. You could be screwing anyone in your office, having phone sex, or dating someone long-distance for all I know.”

“I didn’t even use my phone until you showed up here, and there are no females in the pack. That’s clearly not happening,” he growled.

“I wouldn’t know. I’m trapped here, and I’ve never seen any evidence either way.”

“My phone’s code is 1010. Check it whenever you want.”

“I don’t want to check it, Enzo. I want privacy. My own room. My own space. A phone that isn’t monitored.”

“I understand your desire for freedom, Princess, but no one in this pack is free to talk about rogues and rabids. No one is free to bring human females here. The rules protect all of Crimson River.” He set his hands on my knees. Though the touch surprised me, it was far from unpleasant. “As far as having your own space, that’s not an option. You are mine. It wouldn’t be safe for you to be alone, even if my wolf would accept it.”

“Alright, I get it.”

He lifted the mug to my mouth, with my hands still around it. “Drink. You need the calories.”

“I’m not—”

The warm, rich liquid passed through my lips, and I nearly moaned.

Wow, that was good.

I pulled it away from my mouth as soon as I could, but it took some time, and it was so delicious it managed to calm me down a little.

“You need more calories as heat approaches. Your brother told me he buys you chocolate and ice cream.”

“I buy myself chocolate and ice cream.”

“He makes sure you don’t run out.”

Fletcher probably did sneak chocolate into my cabinets and replace my stash before it could run out. It was entirely in character for him, and heat was never going to be a comfortable subject for us to discuss.

“Princess,” he said, his voice lowering. “I understand that you want independence, but I can’t give you that if I don’t know the full story here. I can’t keep you safe if I don’t know what I’m keeping you safe from. I’ve talked to Fletcher about how to take care of you, and I will talk to him again if you don’t tell me the full story. And that’s not a threat. It’s a promise. I won’t risk you. My wolf would fucking lose it, and no one in this city needs that.”

It was one of the most reasonable things he’d said to me, even if it was frustrating that he said it at all.

“You can’t ask Fletcher for the story. It haunts him more than anyone else,” I said quietly, running a hand over my greasy hair. I barely noticed the oil. “The three of us were close. Me, Fletch, and Simon. We were raised like siblings. Silas was too, but he was always quiet. Artsy. He kept to himself. He was close with Simon, too, but we weren’t close with him. Silas liked to do his own thing. Our pack was small. Just the four of us, our parents, and an aunt and uncle. I’m not giving you any of their names.”

“For now,” Enzo said.

I scoffed.

He dragged his thumb over the inside of my thigh. “Continue.”

“Don’t order me around.”

“Continue, please.”

My scowl didn’t really fade, but I went on anyway.

The sooner I got the story out, the sooner I could push it back to the far corner of my mind.

“I think I already told you I was fifteen when my first heat started. I was hanging out near the pack house. Our parents were at work. Our uncle was nearby, and my pheromones hit him first. He pinned me to a tree. I’d started feeling hot, but other than that, I had no idea what was going on. My wolf refused to take over,” I said. “I could barely feel her at all. Heat and rut both suppress your ability to shift even though your mind is possessed by them. We learned that, that night.”

I continued. “Fletcher never went far from me, so when I screamed, he came running. We were always a team. We loved our adoptive parents, but we were different from them, and we both knew it. He saw our uncle trapping me, and managed to shift his nails to claws and cut through. Even then, his dominance was insanely powerful. He tried to send our uncle to his knees with it, but he was trapped in the rut. Fletch punched him and clawed him, but blood doesn’t stop someone in that state.”

I tilted my head back against the cabinets behind me and closed my eyes. “Fletcher ripped him away from me. While Fletch killed him, I ran. My body was getting hotter. The terror was fading, and the wild, uncontrollable desperation of heat started to set in. I couldn’t go back, but something inside me pushed me to anyway. Thankfully, I didn’t.”

Enzo’s hands gripped my knees a little tighter.

I didn’t comment on it.

“Simon and Fletch were always together, even when I wasn’t with them. When Fletch ran to find me, Simon chased him. He tried to go find Silas for help when he saw Fletcher attack our uncle, but my heat grew strong enough to pull him in as I was running away. He chased me, but we were both in human form, so he didn’t catch me. Not until my legs shook too badly to keep moving, and I collapsed. He caught me. Fletcher assumed he’d attacked me too, and killed him.”

Enzo let out a slow breath.

I pressed my lips together.

The Alpha waited.

My voice was quieter when I finished the story. “I was too lost to heat to care that my best friend and my uncle were dead. I begged Fletcher to find someone to help me. It was the worst pain of my life. He dragged me halfway back to the house before Silas showed up, and when Silas did, he guarded us.”

“The pheromones were fading when our parents got back and found us. Our adopted dad felt a small amount of it, but it was fading, and weak enough that he didn’t act on it. The horror that followed as we all realized what had happened…”

I cleared my throat. “We all mourned, but they didn’t blame us. We did, and Silas did, but they didn’t. We tracked the dates after that, and the moment I started feeling hot, Fletcher, Silas, and I trekked deep into the forest and waited it out. The hatred in his eyes only minutes before the rut set in is something I’ll never forget. Over the years, he’s stopped blaming us for the most part, but I don’t think he’ll ever truly forgive us. So yeah, you heard relief when I told him he was off the hook. He never wanted me or liked being with me.”

Enzo’s gaze bore into me, but I didn’t meet his eyes.

I was afraid mine would water.

Fletcher and I didn’t talk about that day. Fletch had hated himself for what he did ever since that day. Neither of us blamed each other, but we sure as hell blamed ourselves.

Enzo finally released his hold on my knees. One of his hands slid around my face, and he ran his thumb lightly over my cheekbone. I wanted to lean into his touch so desperately that it hurt, but I didn’t let myself.

He was still the king.

He was still an asshole.

He had still attacked Silas without knowing any part of the story.

When I didn’t lean in, his free hand found my waist and pulled me across the countertop until my chest met his. He wrapped me in his arms, hugging me against him so firmly that I couldn’t stop myself from wrapping my arms around him too and squeezing.

“You were kids, Princess. What happened was fucking horrible, but it wasn’t anyone’s fault.”

With his words, something inside me seemed to crack open.

Tears tracked down my cheeks, and my body trembled with the effort of holding my emotions back.

His hand slid into my hair, his fingers tangling with the tied strands as he held me closer.

Tears dripped down my face, and I clutched the Alpha like a lifeline. I loved Fletcher, but we never talked emotions. Surviving had always been our focus. Getting through the next week, the next month, the next year.

What would it be like to focus on something else? Something like… a mate?

I didn’t know.

I shouldn’t let myself think about it, either.

Enzo was saying the right things, but everything was still a mess. He had still hurt the people who mattered to me, and he had still been an asshole.

Saying sweet things and holding me while I cried didn’t change that. Not really.

He probably had an ulterior motive of some kind.

It was just hard to believe that when he was wiping tears off my face with his thumb while he held me.

His other hand moved in a slow, soothing motion over my back until my tears stopped falling, my emotions becoming manageable again.

His grip on me didn’t ease until mine on him loosened. Then, he released me and wiped away the last of my tears.

He pulled my phone from his pocket and set it on the countertop, next to me, then disappeared into the other room.

My forehead creased.

He was just going to leave, after holding me like that?

I listened for the sound of the door opening, but it didn’t come. Instead, he walked back into the kitchen with my boot in his hand.

I sighed. “Really, Enzo?”

“Until you have the doctor’s approval, yes.”

“Putting weight on it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

He buckled it on anyway.

“I need a shower.”

“I told you I’d help you in the bath.”

“I don’t want help.”

“Does it seem like I care whether or not you want my help, Princess?”

I scowled at him.

He ruffled my already-messed-up bun. “You look perfectly fuckable. Stop worrying about your hair. We’ll leave tonight.”

“Leave tonight for what?”

“My cabin. Where we’re going for heat.”

I blinked. “It won’t start until two days from now.”

“I want you a long way from any other werewolves when it does. Until I personally understand how it affects both of us, I’m going to be cautious. We leave tonight. There’s a backpack and a duffel bag in the closet somewhere. Pack something to wear.”

“How long are we staying?”

He shrugged. “Until I’m confident no one else is going to try to take you from me.”

“So not until you force me to seal the bond during the next full moon?” I drawled. The sarcasm was half-hearted after my cry fest, but Enzo’s honey eyes brightened a little anyway.

He kissed my forehead, lowered me from the countertop back to my feet, then strode out of the room.

I ran a hand over the top of my hair. It stuck up at odd angles, having been pulled by a pair of gigantic hands.

I wasn’t going to think too much about that, either.

Even if we’d be sitting in a cabin alone together that night.

I PULLED a duffel bag out of the closet and threw a few pairs of clothes in for myself. When I thought about Enzo’s dressing habits, I decided there was a good chance he wouldn’t bother packing himself any clothes, and put some in for him too.

I couldn’t handle my messed-up, greasy hair any longer, so I pulled it out of the bun and hobbled into the bathroom.

Enzo was probably going to be annoyed that I bathed without his help, but he’d survive. We were about to spend heat together, so he’d get over it.

I set my phone down in the ledge of the tub and took the boot off again. The wrap followed it.

My ankle and foot still looked bruised and disgusting when I got them entirely free, so I tried not to look.

I’d have to figure out how to wrap it again before Enzo saw it. He’d freak out if I was walking around with it looking the way it did.

I slipped into the tub and sank in as the water filled, and closed my eyes.

Someone knocked on the door, but I ignored it.

It wasn’t Enzo, obviously. And no one else would walk in without permission, so if I didn’t answer, they’d leave me alone.

Except they didn’t.

They knocked again.

And again.

My phone rang with a call from an unknown number. I ignored it.

A message came through from the same number a moment later.

UNKNOWN

This is Clay. I’m outside your room. Enzo asked me to take you to the doctor

ME

I’m busy, and I don’t need a doctor

CLAY

That’ll fly about as well as an ostrich

I sighed.

ME

Fine

I need like 10 minutes

CLAY

You can have 5

I huffed, but hurried. Dunking my head under the water, I quickly washed my hair. There was nothing but a bar of soap next to the tub, so I just cleaned it with that. It would have to go right back into a bun, because it would feel dry and disgusting, but at least it wouldn’t be greasy anymore.

There was no razor or face wash, either, so I just splashed some water on my cheeks and used some soap on the rest of my body. If Enzo wasn’t going to let me buy toiletries, he was just going to have to deal with my body hair during heat.

Considering he could sprout fur and shift into a wolf, I didn’t think he would care.

I didn’t have time to hobble back to the closet, so I just dried off and pulled on the clothes I’d been wearing earlier. My phone vibrated again while I was getting dressed, and Clay knocked again, but I ignored him. He’d survive.

He was knocking yet again when I finally got to the door, drying my hair carefully with my towel.

“Oh,” he said, watching me dry it.

“Do you have any conditioner? Your brother’s soap left my hair so dry, I’m worried it’s going to snap right off.”

Clay blinked. “We have to figure out the doctor thing, first.”

“Alright.”

He looked down at my foot and grimaced. “Where’s the wrap and the boot?”

“You only gave me five minutes, and I don’t really need them.”

He muttered something that sounded like, “He’s going to kill me,” but when I closed the door, he didn’t make me go back for them.

“I’m surprised he’s letting you take me there after the way he’s been hovering over me,” I remarked, as we started slowly down the hallway. When he realized I was still limping a little, he tucked an arm around my back and pulled mine over his shoulder, taking some of my weight.

“So am I.”

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know. He said there was something he had to do and gave me a whole list of instructions.” Clay didn’t sound thrilled about any part of his answer.

“Does he always just leave like that?”

“Pretty much.” We turned down a hallway, and I winced at a particularly sharp pain in my ankle.

Maybe I should’ve worn the boot.

Clay hadn’t seemed to notice, so that was good.

We passed a few guys in the hallway, and surprisingly enough, none of them ignored me.

None of them greeted me, but they nodded. Or smiled. Some grimaced at my ankle. It really didn’t look great, and the bruises covered a decent chunk of my foot, too.

“Did Enzo tell everyone not to ignore me?” I whispered.

“No. He didn’t kill Jake or Charlie for talking to you, so word spread that he just doesn’t want them flirting or staring at your tits.”

Oh.

That was good, I guess.

At least no one was acting like I didn’t exist anymore.

I sucked in a breath as I stepped into the elevator with my foot at a slightly wrong angle, and pain raced through my ankle.

“If you’ve reinjured yourself by refusing to wear the boot, there’s going to be hell to pay,” Clay warned.

The warning didn’t scare me.

Enzo’s definition of hell to pay didn’t seem to apply to me any further than forcing me to eat delicious food and stay in his room. I’d become so comfortable there, I was starting to think of it as mine too.

The idea of reinjuring my ankle did scare me though, because my wolf was already annoyed that she’d been trapped for so long. She’d only settled down because heat was approaching. After it was over, she’d be back to her fiery self.

“Is the city okay, even though he’s been staying with me?” I asked, lowering my voice a little. “There haven’t been any new rabids?”

“We’ve been handling it. Our enforcers have been trying to convince him to let them help more for years, so people are actually glad he’s taking a step back.”

“Sounds like I should get hurt more often.”

He snorted. “Sure, if you want him to lose what’s left of his mind.”

It was a good point.

And I was tired of being injured, anyway.

eleven

ENZO

ASPEN WAS CURLED up in bed with her iPad when I got back that evening. Those gorgeous blue eyes were heavy with exhaustion, and there were two boots on the floor instead of one.

Had she hurt herself again?

Why hadn’t anyone fucking told me?

My wolf snarled, and I strode to the bed, ripping the blankets off her legs to glower down at her injuries. When I saw just the one foot wrapped, and the other one perfectly fine, I paused.

“What’s your problem?” she grumbled, taking the blanket from my hand and resettling it back over her legs. All she had on was a sports bra and a pair of the tiny shorts she’d had on in my shower that first day.

She looked so fucking good.

“There are two boots on the floor.”

“Oh.” She closed the cover of the case I’d put on the new device. It was a light gray color, almost the same as the last one she had. “I might’ve walked to the doctor’s office without one.”

My nostrils flared. “Clay told me you need to wear it for another twenty-four hours.”

“Which is why the doctor gave me another one. I should probably offer to pay to refill his stash, because I think it’s the last one he had. I can’t imagine he kept more than two on hand.” She sat up. “He asked me again if he can use my blood for his research.

“No.” I scooped her up off the bed, and she made a noise of surprise as she clutched her iPad and phone to her chest. Maybe after we’d sealed the bond, my wolf would be willing to share her in that way. But if they found something in her blood that showed them how to make female werewolves?

I’d likely have to kill my own scientists to keep her safe. Which I’d rather avoid, considering I needed them to find a way to save our people. One that didn’t involve hurting or using my mate.

“Pack funds pay for all of the medical supplies. Don’t worry about the cost.” I grabbed the duffel bag she’d packed and threw it over my shoulder before striding out of the room with her cradled safely in my arms.

My wolf finally relaxed. The only time the bastard was ever calm anymore was when her body was pressed against mine. He was itching to go for a run with her wolf, but didn’t want her to shift until she was healed. Shifting could make the healing process messier.

“If they could figure out how to make more female wolves, it might—”

“No, Princess. When my scent is combined with yours after our mating ceremony, I’ll consider it. Until then, my answer isn’t changing. Your blood belongs to me as much as the rest of you does.”

She sighed. “Alright.”

I carried her out to the parking lot. Fancy vehicles were a waste of money, so I didn’t bother. I buckled her into the passenger seat of my truck, then took the driver’s seat. Some of my wolves had a fire burning between the Lodge and the newer apartment building, and a few of them waved at me.

I lifted a hand back, as I pulled out of the lot.

“They like you,” Aspen said.

I made a noncommittal noise.

“Your pack,” she clarified. “They like you, even though the rest of the city is terrified of you. Why?”

“I don’t know.”

It was a lie.

I knew.

My pack understood what I gave to protect them and everyone else in the city. No one else did.

I glanced at her in the rearview mirror. She didn’t look like she believed me.

At least she didn’t question me about it any further.

“How far out is your cabin? At least an hour into the forest, I hope?”

“It’s on the far side of Greenview. Far enough into the forest that no humans or wolves would ever find it on accident.”

“Oh, damn. Isn’t that like a five-hour drive?”

“Six.”

Six-and-a-half, actually. But she didn’t need to know that. Not when she seemed unhappy with the answer.

“If your ankle starts to hurt, just turn in your seat and rest it on my leg. I can lift the console.”

“It’ll be fine.”

My wolf growled, and I didn’t bother trying to suppress the sound. All it would do was piss him off, and I didn’t need him fighting me when I was trying to get her out of Crimson River for her safety.

Her past experiences with heat had obviously left her scarred. She was dreading spending it with me, even if she hadn’t said as much.

I couldn’t erase the pain she’d lived through, but I could give her good memories. I didn’t know how her heat or the rut would affect me, but she would be damn sure that I wasn’t fucking her out of obligation, fear, or guilt. According to Fletcher, Silas was the only man she had ever been with, and he was shit-poor competition.

She looked over her shoulder, and did a double-take when she saw reusable grocery bags on the backseat. “You went shopping?”

“We’ll need to eat.”

“Yeah, but I could’ve gone with you. It feels like forever since I went grocery shopping.”

“I ordered them online and picked them up on my way home. You didn’t miss anything.”

“Still, I should’ve paid for them at the very least. You keep cooking for me, and now you’re going to deal with my heat, so—”

“Get this through that thick little skull, Princess.” My voice was low, my anger rising swiftly with the way she referred to herself, and her heat. “I’m not going to deal with anything. I’m taking you to my cabin for a few days because I want to. I’m feeding you because I want to. I’m spending your heat with you because I want to. And when I get to fuck that sweet little cunt, it'll be because I want to. I don’t owe you anything. I don’t have any guilt or pity over your past. I want to feel you wrapped around my cock, and this is a damn good excuse to get that.”

She was silent, but the scent of her desire teased my nose.

My words had turned her on.

My cock was hard as a fucking rock, and she’d see it sticking straight up if she looked over the console. My sweats didn’t do a damn thing to conceal it.

I was going to have to start wearing jeans if I couldn’t get my desire for her under control. Given the erection I had nearly every minute I spent with her, getting it under control seemed unlikely.

“You really need to stop calling me little. I’m always the tallest woman in the pack. I usually tower over the groupies. Even Fletcher only has four inches on me. I’m not small just because you’re a freaking giant.”

She was rambling.

The scent of her desire was thickening, though. She was trying to distract herself from wanting me, too.

“I’m going to read a book,” she finally said. “If there’s a next time, I get to buy the groceries.”

“When there’s a next time, you can use my card to buy our groceries, as my mate.”

She scowled. “I still haven’t agreed to that.”

“I still have yet to meet anyone who could take you from me.”

She made a noise of complaint, and opened her iPad.

She could read as many books as she wanted. I wouldn’t complain. I’d seen the covers of the books she read when I made Hunter help me transfer her settings to her new devices, and our room always smelled like her desire when she was reading. If she wanted to get turned on by her romance books in my truck, I sure as hell wouldn’t stop her.

Maybe it could make up for my lack of romance. I wouldn’t even know where to begin when it came to wooing a female. I rarely visited the bars with my brothers, and when I did, there was no talking or flirting involved. Just a quick, dirty fuck in the bar’s bathroom. I’d done it in my truck once, and after spending hours cleaning the bitch’s scent out, vowed to never do that again. My wolf couldn’t stand it.

Now, I wanted my female’s scent in my vehicle.

I turned music on as her mind slipped into the book she was reading.

When the desire in her scent thickened, it took everything I had to keep a grin off my face.

That woman was mine. Even if she hadn’t accepted it yet.

twelve

ASPEN

THE DRIVE WENT by painfully slow. My foot started to ache halfway through, but I forced myself not to move it much. If Enzo realized I was in pain, he would force me to put my feet on his lap, and I didn’t want either of them anywhere near his cock. He was almost always hard around me, and feeling his erection against my foot definitely wouldn’t help me want him less.

His words rolled through my mind every few minutes

“I’m spending your heat with you because I want to. And when I get to fuck that sweet little cunt, it'll be because I want to.”

I seriously hoped I was keeping my lust under control enough that he couldn’t smell it, because wow. It was excessive. Really excessive.

It didn’t help that the book I was halfway through featured a female main character with an over possessive fae king as her love interest. That shit wasn’t supposed to be sexy. I wasn’t supposed to like it.

But I was a sucker for it every time.

When the pain distracted me so much that I couldn’t focus on the book anymore, I stretched my foot out in front of me as far as it could go, wincing.

Wow.

Yeah.

That hurt.

Enzo lifted the console and patted his thigh.

He didn’t have to say a word.

I reluctantly turned, lifting my legs up onto his lap. He moved my feet a little, gently enough that it didn’t hurt. I unzipped my jacket and pulled it off, rolling it up so I could tuck it behind my back to ease the discomfort of resting against the door.

It wasn’t particularly safe as far as positions went, but werewolves were harder to kill than humans, and the roads were pretty much empty.

“Do you ever read?” I asked him.

“Sometimes.”

“What kind of books?”

“Action, mostly. Some fantasy.”

“What’s your favorite?”

“Spies. I’d kill to be a spy,” he admitted.

“You could never blend into a crowd of humans.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t dream.”

“So in another life, you’d be an average-sized human with a penchant for stealing government secrets?”

“Yup. Based on your books, you’d be a pint-sized human abducted by some kind of mafia kingpin.”

“Hey, sometimes they’re fae kings,” I tossed back.

The look he shot me was skeptical.

“Look.” I showed him the cover of the one I was reading. “Dark & Beastly Fae. Hard not to say that’s a fae book. I read fantasy romance too, not just mafia. Though if you combined mafia and fantasy romance… You could make a lot of money.”

“Or no money.”

“Yeah. Might be a risk.”

“So what’s it about?”

“The book? Oh, this fae king is being hunted by a monster and has to steal a human girl with magic to hide himself. They’re in the process of falling in love. It’s fun.”

“Have they screwed yet?”

I sputtered out a laugh. “I never said it was steamy.”

“Your scent said that for you, Princess.”

So he could smell it when I was turned on.

Great.

“They’ve gotten close,” I said, my face hot.

“How close?”

“We are not talking about this.”

Especially not after what he’d said earlier.

“I’m spending your heat with you because I want to. And when I get to fuck that sweet little cunt, it'll be because I want to.”

Crap.

I was thinking about it again.

Enzo chuckled. It was the first time I’d heard actual humor from him, and it definitely caught me off guard. He didn’t push me for an answer, thankfully.

I tried to refocus on my book, and after a few minutes, managed to get lost in the story again.

It was 2 AM when we finally reached the cabin, and I was struggling hard to stay awake. My wolf loaned me her vision, letting me make out the cabin’s exterior despite the darkness. It was made of wood and massive windows, much bigger and nicer than I expected.

“I thought it was going to be a little run-down thing like Silas’s,” I mumbled, as Enzo opened my door and unbuckled my seatbelt for me.

“I wouldn’t make you spend heat in a shack.”

“Apparently not.”

He pulled me into his arms, not bothering to put my feet on the ground as he carried me into the cabin. He typed a code into the door to unlock it, and the doorway was tall enough that he didn’t have to duck his head.

The air was so cold that if not for my wolf, I would’ve been shivering. All I had on was my spandex shorts and sports bra, and we’d gone much higher into the mountains.

Thankfully, I was only a little bit chilly.

Enzo carried me into the building and to a large bedroom. It smelled faintly of him, and a little of dust. He tucked me under the blankets on a large bed, and smoothed a hand lightly over my hair. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

I mumbled agreement, snuggling into the blankets so they would start warming up.

I dozed off while he was gone, stirring a little when he came back. His shirt was off when he slid under the blankets with me, and I rolled on top of him immediately, seeking his warmth.

He eased my ankle into a comfortable place with one hand while he pulled me closer with the other. I fell back asleep wrapped in his arms and wondering why I was against mating with such a yummy wolf king at all. The characters in my books never seemed to regret it.

I WOKE up with one giant hand splayed over my ass, the other one on my thigh. The sun was bright as it filtered in through the windows, and I peeled my face off of Enzo’s chest so I could see through them.

The forest around us was gorgeous, and my wolf stirred immediately, wanting to explore.

I rubbed the center of my chest lightly.

Exploring would have to wait until my foot was all the way better.

“How’s your ankle?” Enzo asked. For once, he looked just as tired as I was.

“Still fine, Alpha.”

His fingers dragged lightly over my backside, making my hips rock the tiniest bit. His erection was pinned against my inner thigh, so I felt it respond to the motion. His chest rumbled in warning, but we both knew there was no real heat behind it. He wasn’t going to do anything. Not to me.

His lips brushed my cheek as he kissed me there, lightly. “I’m taking you to breakfast.”

My eyebrows lifted. “I thought you were holding me captive.”

“I’ve told you repeatedly, the door is unlocked.”

“An unlocked door doesn’t mean much when I don’t have money, a vehicle, or a guarantee that you’re not going to come after me.”

“You could get the first two things from my office, down the hall from our room.” He sat up, pulling me with him. “The third is never going to happen.”

“What good will it do me to leave if you’re going to track me down?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know why you’d want to. I provide everything you need.”

“Other than freedom. And a job. And my own money. And my own bathroom supplies.”

He made a noncommittal noise. “The bathroom stuff in your cabin at Creek smelled awful. I tried to find an unscented version of the same ones, but they don’t have it. Mine works.”

“My hair feels like straw. It definitely doesn’t.”

His forehead creased, and he lifted a hand to my bun, which had many pieces falling out around my face. “Feels fine to me.”

I scowled, climbing off his lap. I stumbled on my way, and he caught me by the waist before my injured foot could crash against the wood floor.

“Easy, Princess.”

“Thanks.” I slipped his hands off my waist, and he reluctantly let me go.

My bag was on the floor next to a door that stood open. I pulled the flap up to find my clothes, and frowned when I realized they were gone. The ones I’d packed for him were still in the bag, but mine were missing.

“They’re in the closet,” Enzo said.

It seemed to be the room right in front of me, so I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Oh.

Enzo had even more clothes in his cabin than he did at the Lodge.

“I keep clothes here so I don’t have to carry them back and forth,” he said, stepping into the closet behind me. His cock was hard, tenting his sweats, but neither of us brought that up. “I used to come up every month to get away, but only manage it once a year lately.”

“How many years is lately?”

“A decade or so.”

Wow.

I had never really considered what the near-immortality of a werewolf would mean for me. I’d known a few men in the pack who had lived through losing a human mate, staying with them through the woman’s entire life, but they were all… sad.

Mentally tortured.

Scarred, inwardly.

I’d been lonely ever since my heat began and destroyed my family, but that was an entirely different kind of pain. To choose someone, have kids with them, and watch them grow old and die while you stayed the same age. To watch your daughters grow older than you.

I couldn’t do it.

And most werewolf men had no real choice. They could choose that, or they could stay alone. Forever.

He grabbed a pair of jeans off a shelf, and my eyebrows lifted.

Since when did he wear jeans?

A real t-shirt followed. And, after a moment’s pause, a pair of underwear.

Who was this man, and what had he done with the Alpha?

“Are we meeting your girlfriend or something?” I asked, skeptical.

“I don’t have a girlfriend, Princess. Just a mate.” There was a growl in his voice that told me his wolf did not like that suggestion.

“Then why are you dressing up?”

“Jeans aren’t dress clothes.”

“For you, they are.”

He scowled and stepped out of the closet. I wanted to follow him and bug him about it more, but decided against it.

There was no point in making him angry before we went to breakfast. The last time I’d eaten out was probably two years ago, with Fletcher. We’d been out all day dealing with a fallen tree that was in the middle of a dirt road a long way from the pack’s land. It was a three-hour drive on the roads, and another hour down a dirt road, but there were a bunch of vacation homes there that some pack had built to make some money on the side. The vacationers were trapped there, and we were the forest service, so they’d called us.

We probably could’ve made the other pack deal with it, but it had sounded like fun. So, we went.

By the time we got back to Crimson River, it was late and we were starving, so we stopped at one of the bars in town and spent a few hours there. Fletcher had slipped away with a groupie, leaving me alone for half an hour, and a cute werewolf guy had flirted with me.

I knew I couldn’t go home with him. I couldn’t hook up with anyone who had a good nose. They could probably figure out what I was. Which meant werewolves had been off limits.

But it had been fun to flirt anyway. Fun to feel attractive.

Since Enzo was dressing up, I put one of my new, nicer sweaters on with my leggings. It was a fuzzy, off-the-shoulder piece that was literally just the expensive version of one I had owned and doused in perfume, so I knew I loved it before I even put it on. It was white, so it made my hair look darker and my eyes look bluer.

Made my highlights look yellower, too, but I ignored that bit.

It would be nice not to have to follow the humans’ trends to fit in anymore.

I’d add that to my mental list of the things I liked about having been abducted by the Alpha. Even if I couldn’t actually acknowledge that list aloud.

I stepped into the bathroom to fix my bun while Enzo headed into the other room for something. I found him talking to someone on the phone quietly when I made it into the living room, and looked around with raised eyebrows.

It was big.

Comfortable

Expensive.

There was a massive kitchen, a large dining table, and the world’s biggest couch. Bookshelves dotted the walls in various places, all of them packed full of books.

I walked over to one of them and dragged a finger over the spines, reading the titles and series names.

Lord of the Rings.

Eragon.

Game of Thrones.

Wheel of Time.

He had said he liked fantasy books. There was my proof.

I pulled one out and flipped through the pages. The easy way it opened told me it had been read more than once.

I heard Enzo end the call, and his hands were on my waist a moment later. “How’s the girlfriend?” I asked, only half teasing.

“My brother is fine.”

“If it was one of them, they would’ve mind-linked you. Everyone knows not to contact you over phone.”

When the doctor had asked for my blood again, I told him to text Enzo about it. He’d responded that no one called or texted the Alpha except me. The mind-link was for everyone else, and they had to go through Clay and Hunter to avoid causing him pain.

Mostly, I think he just wanted me to say yes so he could use the excuse that I told him he could take it. I still wasn’t entirely for or against it, so I couldn’t give him full permission, and I wasn’t going to risk the small amount of freedom I had by pissing Enzo off.

“Usually. But before I left, I told everyone to stay out of my head until I was back. My brothers asked me to leave my phone on.”

He lifted it in front of me, holding up his phone so I could see every call he’d received recently.

The only names on it were his brothers’, and there were no unknown phone numbers.

He maneuvered to his text messages, and once again showed me that the only conversations he had were with me, his brothers, and…

“Fletcher? You texted Fletcher?”

“I told you I got information about you from him.”

Right.

The chocolate.

I didn’t even want to know what else they’d said about me. Or how pissed Fletcher was after the conversation. He hadn’t even mentioned it to me, which stung.

He put his phone in his pocket and lowered his lips to my ear. His hands were still on my hips, his thumbs dragging lightly over my lower back. “You are the only female I want, Princess.” His lips brushed my bare shoulder with a quick kiss. “I don’t even have time for our relationship. Another one is out of the question.”

That was a good point. He spent a lot of his time with me, and I knew he spent the rest of it with his pack or hunting rogues. He definitely hadn’t been in anyone else’s bed at night, or making food for them.

I had no idea why I was jealous in the first place.

It wasn’t like I really wanted him.

He was just… acting weird.

I’d blame it on that.

He released my hips and took my hand. When his fingers laced through mine, my throat swelled.

What was he doing?

Why was he holding my hand?

He towed me back to his truck, walking slowly to give me time to make the trip in my boot. When we reached the vehicle, he lifted me into the passenger seat.

“You’re not acting normal,” I said, eyeing him as he turned the truck on.

“What’s normal for me?” he asked.

I guess I didn’t really know.

“Choking your packmates and breaking people’s bones for knowing me before you?” I suggested.

He snorted. “Sure, Princess. If you want to pretend that’s all there is to me, go ahead.”

thirteen

ASPEN

I COULDN’T HELP but stare at him as he drove down a dirt road. Trees whirred past us, but my wolf wasn’t even interested in them. She just kept purring at the man in the seat next to me.

Heat was definitely approaching.

“Have you ever taken a human mate?” I asked, unable to stop the question from bubbling out.

“No. Have you ever seen a wolf go rogue?”

I blinked. “No.”

“The ones who go rogue are all mated to humans. It’s not the way we’re made. Immortal wolves aren’t supposed to make vows to mortal women. It fucks with their minds, and eventually, breaks them.”

“Why don’t you have laws against it, then?”

“How would I enforce them?”

It was a good question.

“And my father tried that. The moment he announced that it would become illegal, there was a massive surge of men claiming human females. It’s not a problem for us to fuck them, or even necessarily have pups with them, but claiming them goes against what our wolves can handle. Wolves mate for life.”

Oh.

Wow.

“How would we fix the problem, then?”

“Figure out how to make female wolves ourselves. Remove humans from the city entirely. Make sure everyone understands that if they choose a human mate, they choose an early death when they inevitably go rogue.”

If those were the only options, I could never tell anyone what I could do. As soon as he realized I could turn women, he’d use me exactly the way I had always thought someone would.

I needed to be careful. Really, really careful.

“Then you should’ve asked me to give my blood to the doctor,” I said.

“Not until I’ve made you mine.”

So there was an expiration date to his protection.

As soon as the bond was sealed, he would stop keeping me safe.

…Which meant I should probably figure out a way to drag out the time before we sealed our bond.

“So you don’t have a human mate. I’m sure you fuck groupies sometimes, though,” I said, staring out the window. “Are any of them attached to you?”

“Of course not. You’re aware that I’m a difficult male to be attached to. My wolf is worse than me. He typically only gives me about ten minutes with a woman before he decides he’s ready to bite her head off for smelling wrong.”

He clearly didn’t have that problem with me.

His grip tightened on the steering wheel. “How many males have you fucked, other than Silas?”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

His jaw clenched, and he let out a slow breath. He was trying to calm himself down. Or calm down his wolf. “I’ll trade you for the information. Something you’ll want to know.”

“What kind of information?”

“If I tell you that, you won’t have to trade me.”

“Fine. You go first, though. And if yours isn’t juicy enough, I’m not sharing.” My answer to his question wouldn’t make him mad. It would probably cool him down, so I wasn’t opposed to sharing it. I just wanted to know what he had to tell me.

“Hunter came up here for a security tech conference a few months back.”

“Here, as in, your cabin?”

I hadn’t smelled Hunter there.

“No, he stayed in a hotel room. No one uses my cabin but me. It’s the only place I go to get away.”

“Okay. And?” I prodded. If that was his juicy information, he was going to have to try again.

“While he was here, he caught a wolf’s scent.”

I leaned toward him. It was against every werewolf law for a wolf to live outside Crimson River, and highly unsafe on top of it.

“A female wolf’s. He was looking for her scent in the forest when he found you. He thought you were her, at first. We assume she was on vacation here or something.”

“Well, I’ve never been here before.”

“As soon as he got close to you, he could tell you weren’t her,” Enzo agreed. “She smelled like ink and coffee. You’re all chocolate and pine trees, without the perfume hiding you.”

“Chocolate and pine trees?” My nose wrinkled.

I smelled like a tree to him, and he liked it?

Enzo made a noise of agreement. “Fucking delicious.”

“Wait, so there’s another female wolf out there?” I asked, realizing quickly what that meant. Not just for me, but for her.

“Yup. Hunter’s been fixated on her scent ever since he caught it. He’s run every inch of our forests since then and hasn’t caught another whiff, but we didn’t consider that she could be hiding her scent. He’s started running in the forest again since, looking for smells strong enough to conceal hers, and researching anyone as tall as you are that lives with a pack.”

Holy crap.

I wasn’t alone.

There was another woman like me out there.

Another woman with a wolf. Maybe more than one.

As quick as the excitement hit, dread followed.

Another woman living in hiding.

Another woman being hunted by one of the Savage brothers.

“Whoever and wherever she is, he should leave her alone,” I said.

“That’s not possible, Princess. I didn’t believe him the first time he told me he couldn’t stop looking for her, but now I get it. If I had caught your scent in the forest and you slipped away from me, my wolf wouldn’t rest until you were in my arms. I don’t know whether or not fate is involved, but my wolf chose you the first moment I smelled you. There’s no going back from there. Not for me, and not for Hunter.”

I stared out the window, not replying.

He didn’t want to hear that I still thought Hunter should leave her be.

“Heat alone puts her in danger,” Enzo said. “You don’t trust our pack, but you’ve been safe with us, haven’t you? The same can’t be said for a female wolf on her own, whether in Crimson River or in Greenview. If the wrong man had been out for a run and stumbled upon Silas’s shack at any point during your heat, you could’ve been hurt. You could’ve been taken from me before I ever met you. What if Hunter’s female doesn’t have a Silas or a Fletcher to help her?”

“Werewolves are always born in multiples.”

“What if her siblings are all sisters? What if there are a few of these women out there, hiding?”

There could definitely be situations worse than mine, and I could admit that. Even if I didn’t want to.

“I see your point,” I finally said. “My life could’ve been worse.”

“I’m not saying things were easy for you, Princess, but there’s no way to guarantee that this woman isn’t living through hell. You still think we’re the bad guys, but we haven’t really done anything but protect you. Eventually, you’ll see that.” He cleared his throat. That conversation was over. “Now, you owe me an answer.”

There wasn’t any way I could convince him his information wasn’t juicy enough.

It was.

I doubted that anyone else in their entire pack other than Clay knew what he’d just told me.

“I haven’t been with anyone else,” I admitted. “All the men in the city are werewolves, and they could’ve realized what I was if we hooked up.”

Enzo let out a relieved breath, and his grip on the steering wheel loosened. “So I don’t have to kill anyone else.”

“Anyone else? If you killed Silas, you are not touching me tomorrow.” I grabbed my phone and sent him a quick message.

ME

Are you alive?

“I didn’t kill Silas, or anyone else you know. It was a figure of speech.”

I shot him a look.

Until I heard that from Silas himself, I wasn’t going to believe him.

Luckily, I heard back quickly.

SILAS

I’m fine. Why?

My shoulders relaxed.

ME

Enzo said something suspicious

The king. His name is Enzo. Not sure if you know that

SILAS

I know

He personally dropped off a gift basket for me yesterday

ME

He what?

A moment passed, and a picture came through.

I tapped on the image, zooming in. It was a store-bought gift basket wrapped in shiny cellophane, and had a bunch of different kinds of snacks in it. It had clearly been assembled before it was purchased.

Another image came through, this one of a premade card. The typed words on the inside had been scribbled out, and it said on one side:

Sorry about the injuries. Thanks for protecting her for me. I owe you one.

The other side said:

But if you ever touch her again, I’ll feed you your own intestines before I rip out your heart.

-Enzo

I blinked.

“Who are you texting?” he asked me.

“I was making sure Silas is alive. He says you gave him a gift basket yesterday. And he sent me a picture of a card. You do know that you can’t thank someone and threaten to kill them at the same time, right?”

“It wasn’t at the same time. I wrote it on the other side of the card.”

I groaned.

ME

He’s not going to hurt you again. I’m sorry

SILAS

It’s fine

Be careful with him

ME

Thanks

I exited the message and set my phone down. “Don’t give people gift baskets after attacking them. It’s weird.”

“How else was I going to apologize?”

“A text saying that you misunderstood our relationship and had no intention of hurting him again would’ve been plenty.”

“He’s still sitting in bed while he heals. Snacks are more useful than a texted apology.”

“He said he was already better.”

Enzo snorted. “When I went after him, all I knew was that he fucked you every month for years, Princess. He wasn’t getting off with just a broken nose. I’m sure he told you he was fine so you’d back off.”

“I guess.” I grimaced, looking back out the window.

Tense silence stretched between us.

It was quite possibly the most uncomfortable moment we’d ever spent together.

Enzo finally blew out a breath. “I shouldn’t have attacked him. It wasn’t one of my best moments. I’m sorry.”

“Are you going to do it again?”

“No. You don’t want him.”

I scowled. “I’m being serious, Enzo. If someone brushes up against me at the Lodge, are they going to die? Do I need to walk on my tiptoes everywhere I go out of fear that you’re going to murder anyone who smiles at me or helps me find tortillas in the grocery store? Do I need to ask everyone I know to pretend I don’t exist if I ever bump into them? Do I need to spend my life afraid of who you’re going to kill for being nice to me?”

“No to all of those.” He said it easily, but there was a beat of hesitation.

I made a sound of exasperation. “This is messed up.”

“Theoretically, forming a mate bond will prevent more… overreactions.” His voice was grudging with that last word.

At least he’d admitted it was an overreaction.

He added, “You’ve got to understand, my wolf has been trained to kill first and ask questions later. There’s no way to know when a rogue will go rabid. We have to kill them even when we know they’re innocent, or we risk finding out that they’ve slaughtered an entire pack’s worth of women and children, creating more rogues in the process.”

I grimaced.

It was horrible, but I couldn’t tell him he was wrong for doing it. Killing werewolves who had become nothing more than ticking time bombs in animal form was gruesome, but what else could he do?

“Yeah, I guess,” I said, biting my lip. “Why do you think a mate bond will change your reactions?”

“Unlike me, my father was able to think rationally when there was a risk to my mother. He was more violent than I am, but my reactions have been much worse than his were. I think sealing the bond eases up on those instincts. I remember the way his scent was woven through hers even when they hadn’t been together in weeks, so that might be part of it. I’m not entirely sure.”

So it was a theory, but one he had evidence in favor of.

I bit my lip harder. “How do you feel about not sealing the mate bond under the next full moon?”

“Not a chance.”

I sighed. “Enzo…”

“Princess, I’d prefer to give you more time, but my wolf is fucking obsessed, and my pack and my city need to come first. I can’t give them the time and attention they need while I’m this out of control because of the mating shit going on here.”

My argument deflated, slowly but surely.

With the way we’d been talking, I’d actually started to feel like he might like me. I shouldn’t have let myself forget that he was only there because his wolf didn’t give him another choice. And that I was only there because neither of them had given me a choice.

“Alright, fine,” I said quietly. “We’ll seal the bond so you can focus again. I understand.”

“Thank you. I know you’re pissed with how things have gone, but I hope we can be friends. This might not be the mate bond you always wanted, but there’s no going back for either of us. It’ll be better if we can get along.”

“I never wanted a mate bond. I just wanted—”

“Freedom,” he said.

I blinked.

“You told me you wanted to be a bird when you were high on pain pills. Because birds are free.”

Ah.

Lovely.

“I thought I dreamed that,” I said.

More like I hoped I had dreamed it.

“You didn’t. I already talked to my brothers about it.”

“About me being high?”

“No, about you being free. After the bond is sealed, you’ll have a car. You can get a job doing whatever you want in town, after you clear it with me. As long as it’s not at a sex club or something. I wouldn’t handle that well.” He glanced at me.

I rolled my eyes at him.

“You’ve already got your own bank account. Hunter put it together for you, under your new name,” Enzo added.

“New name?”

“Savage.”

Wow.

I’d forgotten that the wolves had a law in place that made their mate bonds with humans work the same legally as weddings.

Aspen Savage.

That would definitely take some time to get used to.

“You’ll have a guard,” he added. “That’s nonnegotiable, but you’ll like him.”

“Bold assumption. There is only one male wolf I genuinely like, and he’s not part of your pack.” I held up one finger. We both knew I was talking about my brother.

“Just trust me.”

“I don’t.”

“But you’re starting to.”

Maybe a little, but I would never admit it to him.

“I tried to buy you a crown, but Clay said you’d rather have the money,” he said. “You told me you wanted one of those when you were high, too.

“Clay is right.”

He chuckled. “Even without a guard or a crown, no one will dare touch you with my scent on your skin. The whole city is afraid of me. You can do whatever you want and be whatever you want.” After a pause, he added, “Other than a sex worker. I don’t have anything against them, obviously, I just—”

“You almost killed Silas for sleeping with me, Enzo. I don’t need a summary of your possessiveness.”

He grunted.

“Can I have my own room? Or rent an apartment away from the Lodge?” I asked.

“Other than that, too.”

“So I agree to seal the bond with you, live with you, and spend heat with you every month. In exchange, I get to be slightly more free than I was before?”

“Yes.”

“Sounds like a decent deal to me. Friends it is.” Despite my words, I looked out the window, not sure I could make eye contact with him.

It was a good deal. It really was.

It was just highly unexpected after the way he’d been doting on me since I got injured. And that threw me for a loop. A big one.

“Good.” He pulled into the parking lot of a cute little diner and got out. I tried to open my door, but he grabbed it before I could, and lifted me out.

“If we’re just friends, I should be allowed to walk when I want to,” I pointed out.

“We’re just friends, but our wolves are mates. My wolf’s going to take care of you whenever he can.”

I considered arguing, but decided against it.

What he offered was still more than I ever would’ve let myself hope for.

fourteen

ASPEN

AFTER BREAKFAST (it was nearly lunch time, so it was really brunch), Enzo stopped at a drug store and spent half an hour sniffing conditioner bottles. He didn’t like any of them, so he told me to deal with my straw-like hair. And promised to order me something unscented.

Back at the cabin, I curled up on the couch to read my book, and he sat down with one of his own. He fussed with my boot every twenty minutes, making sure it was properly lifted, but he focused on the story otherwise.

When I peeked at the cover, I realized it was about spies.

My lips curved upward just the tiniest bit.

Maybe I liked being the king’s friend and knowing he liked spy books.

He told me to stay on the couch while he handled dinner, so I remained where I was while he started cooking for us.

“Have the spies dodged any sticky situations yet?” I asked him.

“They already took down a few enemy agents,” he said, with a straight face. “The British government is after them now. They’re trying to figure out why. Someone obviously betrayed them.”

I bit back a grin.

Hearing such a big, attractive man talk about a spy book was just… well, fun.

And maybe a little sexy on top of it.

“Has the fae king fucked the human yet?” he asked.

“Not technically. I’m wondering if they’re going to hold out until the end. It’s gotten really close though.”

“Annoying.”

“I like the build-up.”

“Do you?” His gaze moved slowly down my figure.

Oops.

“I can help you cook,” I said, rising to my feet when he’d looked back to the vegetables he was washing.

“No. Sit down and rest your ankle, Princess.”

“I’m still not a princess.” I limped around the couch. Most of the tenderness was gone, but the boot was a pain to lug with me. “It’s been twenty-four hours. I should be able to take this thing off.”

“Leave it on. Clay sent me a picture of your ankle, and it looked terrible.”

I stepped into the kitchen, and Enzo lifted me right up onto the countertop without batting an eye. “You and your brothers are annoyingly close.”

“So?”

“So, you need to stop teaming up on me. It’s rude.”

“Something tells me you would do the same thing with Fletcher if he was involved.”

“Of course I would. He’s my twin, and my best friend.” And I needed to talk to him about whether or not he’d found a pack, before Enzo distracted me again.

“Then you understand why my brothers and I are the way we are.”

Enzo and I were sort of becoming friends, but the possibility of forming a mate bond made things different between us. I didn’t know whether it was good different, or bad. Maybe time would tell.

“Give me the carrots. I can rest my foot and cut them at the same time.” I held out my hand for the knife he was using, and the bag of carrots behind his cutting board. The bowl of pieces he’d already chopped was next to me.

“I can do it just fine.”

“You’re being ridiculous, Enzo. Let me help.”

“If you want to be useful, you can take off your sweater so I have something nice to look at while I cook.”

I scowled at him and grabbed a chunk of carrot from the bowl, tossing it at his face. It bounced off his cheek, and I froze.

Things had gotten casual between us, but he was still the Wolf King. He could still rip me into little tiny pieces, and—

He laughed. It was a loud, booming laugh that filled up the room and made me fight a grin.

It was a nice laugh.

A really nice laugh.

“I was joking, Princess.” He said, grinning.

“You were not.”

“I wouldn’t complain if you took your top off, but I didn’t think you’d actually do it. I can take my shirt off, if you’d prefer. Warm you up for tomorrow. Any idea what time heat will start?”

My face flushed, but I looked inwardly, trying to find my wolf.

Spending heat with someone other than Silas would be… different.

Better, hopefully.

“My wolf is already curled up, and I’m already kind of warm, so probably in the morning. Maybe around six or seven. It’ll be over a few hours after it starts, so we can get back to the pack tomorrow night if you want.”

“We’ll see how we’re feeling. No need to rush back. My brothers have things under control.”

I nodded, biting my lip and picking my phone up to text Fletcher.

ME

Did you find a pack yet?

FLETCHER

Yup

ME

Finally

Where is it? How many people?

FLETCHER

We’ll meet up for lunch when you’re back and I’ll tell you about it

Gotta go

Love you

ME

Alright

Love you too

He didn’t text back, but I figured he was busy trying to get things organized with his new wolves.

“Fletcher found a new pack,” I said, the words spilling out before I considered the audience.

Enzo wouldn’t care.

“Did he?” He didn’t look up from his vegetables.

Definitely didn’t care.

“Yeah. I’m going to meet him for lunch to talk about it when we’re back.”

I watched him, waiting for him to shoot that down and tell me I wasn’t allowed to go.

“Sounds good.”

He really didn’t care.

That didn’t subtract from my relief, though.

I bit my lip, watching him for a minute. “Did Fletch or Silas tell you anything about the rut, by chance?”

“No. Seems pretty simple, though.”

“It is,” I agreed. “But…”

He lifted his gaze from the vegetables. “But what?”

“You know how wild wolves have knots?”

His forehead creased. “Knots?”

“Like… the base of a wolf’s penis sort of swells?”

The crease deepened. “Believe it or not, I’ve never looked up how wild wolves have sex, Princess.”

I grimaced, pulling up a Google search for an anatomical picture and showing it to him.

“That can’t be real.”

“It is.”

“You’re not trying to tell me that’s going to happen to my cock, right?”

I let out a puff of air. “Maybe you should just find out when it happens?”

“You don’t tell an Alpha that.”

Maybe not.

“If I’m going to—do that—I need a detailed explanation. Immediately.”

I made a face. “Are you going to flip out and attack Silas again?”

“No. You’re going to explain it to me as if it’s never happened to you before.”

I lifted an eyebrow.

He poked it with my finger to lower it. “Now, Princess.”

“Basically, you just screw me like you would any of your other ten-minute conquests—”

His eyes narrowed.

I ignored his attempt to scare me into getting to the point. I was almost there anyway. “When you finish inside me, the base of your penis just… grows. And gets stuck. Inside me.”

“You already said that part.”

“Inside me? Yeah, there’s no avoiding that. That’s the part that actually eases my heat.”

“The knot?”

“Mmhm. That’s basically it.”

He dragged a hand through his hair. “How long does it last?”

“I don’t know. Twenty minutes? After it softens, we’ll have a few minutes before my heat goes crazy and we’re lost to it again. Like, five. Maybe less.”

“How many times does it happen?”

I shrugged. “Enough to last a few hours.”

“Fuck,” he said.

“Do you want me to call Silas and ask him to—”

“No. You belong to me. As far as I’m concerned, this has never happened to you before, remember?”

“Right. Well, theoretically, it should feel good,” I said. “For both of us. It’s like a constant stream of pleasure. You’ll get off more times than you can probably imagine.”

“What’s the purpose of the… knot?”

“Oh, it’s supposed to impregnate me.”

He blinked.

And blinked again.

Then cleared his throat. “Do condoms work with it?”

Relief rolled through me. He wasn’t looking to breed the next generation of pure-blooded Savages or whatever. Not yet, anyway.

“Do you seriously think a condom would fit over a knot? Or stay on during the kind of wild animal sex we’re discussing?” I asked.

“I don’t know, but it’s worth a try. I don’t want kids anytime soon, and I always wear condoms. How else are we going to prevent it?”

“I’m obviously not ready for babies either.”

“As far as I’m concerned, you’re still a virgin,” he said bluntly.

I rolled my eyes. “I have an IUD. We’re fine.”

He let out a relieved breath.

We were on the same page there.

“So there’s nothing to worry about,” he said. “Except the fact that the base of my cock is going to grow while I’m buried inside you, bareback, for hours on end.”

“Right.”

“Sounds kind of hot.”

I bit my lip to hide a grin. “It’s always—”

“You’re a virgin, Princess. You’re a fucking virgin,” he barked out.

A laugh bubbled out of me. “Whatever you say.”

Heat had never been fun before. It was always good in the moment, but the guilt and despair seemed to wipe away any pleasure the moment it was over.

Maybe I was a little bit excited to spend it with Enzo.

Maybe it could actually be fun.

AFTER DINNER, we landed back on the couch. It had to be the most comfortable couch in the world.

Enzo had lifted my feet to his lap and set a hand on my knee when we first sat down, and it was slowly creeping higher.

I chewed my thumb as the mystery in my book unraveled and part of the plot resolved—and bit down hard when the couple finally sealed the deal.

My body was already warmer than usual because heat was brewing.

Enzo’s hand was on the middle of my thigh, his thumb stroking my inner leg slowly even though he was focused entirely on his book. That told me he was feeling it too.

I couldn’t help the way my toes curled in response to the desire building in me.

I was starting to lose control of myself already.

It was happening sooner than it should’ve. I had never spent time before heat with the guy I was going to spend it with. Maybe that was why.

I had to close my eyes and focus on my breathing.

Enzo’s sudden, sharp inhale told me he’d noticed my scent. “The main characters finally screwed?”

“Mmhm,” I managed, holding my iPad higher so he wouldn’t see my face.

He lifted it out of my hands, looking down at the screen. “It’s turned off.”

“Mmhm,” I repeated.

“Why are your eyes closed?”

I didn’t answer him right away.

“Aspen,” he warned.

“Apparently, I get horny before heat. It’s fine. I shouldn’t have read a spicy book. Ignore it.”

He set his book down. I heard it, though my eyes were still closed. “Look at me.”

I wrestled with my eyelids, but couldn’t stop them from flying open in response to the command.

“I’m your mate. Let me ease it for you.”

“You’re not technically my—”

“Princess.”

“No,” I said emphatically, though my hands were already on the waistband of my leggings, pushing them down. “I don’t need help. I’m fine.”

“Alright.” His honey eyes darkened as he watched me lift my ass to pull the leggings down further. My thong stayed on, at least. “Does touching yourself help?”

“Sometimes.”

His lips curved upward.

He’d sniffed out the lie.

Enzo and his brothers and their damn noses were going to be the death of me.

He unbuckled my boot and eased it off my foot, grabbing the bottom hem of my leggings and peeling it over my sore ankle for me. He was way more careful than he needed to be, and that was hot.

Stupidly hot.

Everything was stupidly hot at the moment.

“Just…” I finally got the leggings off and parted my thighs a little more.

He caught my ankle before it could crash against the floor, and lowered it carefully.

“You have to stop being nice to me. It makes me want you too much.” I pressed my fingers against my clit, over my panties, but I barely felt it.

I was being crazy.

Insane.

Seriously psychotic.

But I couldn’t stop.

“Does that feel good, Princess?” he murmured.

“Shut up,” I breathed, rocking my finger lightly.

“You’d like it more if I was doing the touching.” His hand slid further up my thigh.

I wanted it higher.

“No, I wouldn’t,” I lied.

And when his fingertips brushed the crease where my ass and leg met, I grabbed his hand and pressed his fingers against my core.

“Better now?”

“So much,” I moaned, as he rubbed me lightly.

“You smell so fucking good. Look good in this little thong, too. If I had any idea this was under those leggings, I would’ve been hard all day.”

“You were hard all day.”

“Why do you think I’m wearing jeans?”

“I don’t know.” I arched my hips, and he kept teasing me over the fabric.

“Does heat get worse than this?”

“This isn’t even heat yet. It’s like… preheat.”

“Keep moaning like that, and you’ll be taking my cock through preheat too, Princess.”

“That would feel so good.”

“Damn straight. Open your legs for me.”

I followed his command, parting them more. His finger slid under my thong, and I gasped as he used my slickness to stroke my clit.

No one had ever touched me like that.

It was amazing.

“You like that?”

“Oh, yeah,” I breathed.

“You’re slick for me.”

“It’s just preheat.”

“Sure, Princess.”

“You’ve got to stop calling me that. I don’t have a crown.”

“Maybe I’ll get you one. Tattoo it on my throat, like the marking my wolf gave you.”

“Don’t even think about ruining that gorgeous throat with a crown tattoo.”

He chuckled, low. “Yes, Alpha.”

“I’m not—” I cried out, hips arching desperately. “Harder.”

He pressed harder, still doing those same slow strokes, and I finally came with a soft, desperate cry.

My hand held Enzo’s in place as the pleasure rolled from my head to my toes. My gaze was locked with his through my climax, and as I came down from the high. My toes uncurled, but I was out of breath.

“Sorry,” I whispered.

His eyes flashed. “Don’t apologize. This is what I thought heat was going to be. Taking care of you. Watching you come over and over. Having you on my mouth before we screwed.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. I fucking love this. Take back your apology.”

“I’m… not sorry.”

“What are you not sorry for?”

If my face wasn’t already flushed, it would’ve burned.

But it was already burning.

“Making you touch me,” I said.

He lifted an eyebrow.

“Making you help me take off my clothes.”

His eyebrow lifted higher.

“Making you watch me.”

He leaned closer. “No.”

“No?”

“No. You’re not sorry for letting me get you off.”

“Okay.”

“Okay, she says,” he growled under his breath. “Take your thong off.”

My eyebrows shot upward. “What?”

“Is preheat over?”

“For the moment. Probably not for long, though.”

“Then take your thong off. I want to watch this.”

“This, meaning…”

“Me getting you off repeatedly. If I’m going to spend heat with my knot inside you, I get to enjoy myself now.”

My forehead creased. “It will feel amazing for you when you’re knotting me. I’m pretty sure that’s part of the reason Silas hated spen—”

“You’re a virgin,” he barked. “And this is a different kind of pleasure. Making you feel good feels good.”

He was officially just as insane as I was.

“Okay,” I finally said. “Sure.”

I eased my thong off, and he maneuvered it around my ankle again before tossing it on top of my leggings.

“Read your book again,” he ordered.

I sighed.

His lips twitched. The bastard was excited, and trying to pretend otherwise.

I reluctantly picked it up, and refocused as his hand went back to my thigh, higher than before.

A few minutes later, my hips were wiggling a little again.

He rumbled in satisfaction.

I squeezed my legs together as heat surged over me.

Preheat.

He waited until I’d dropped my iPad with a groan before he finally pushed my legs open, turning his entire body toward me with a wicked gaze.

He dragged a finger over my clit, and I gasped out a curse, hips arching violently.

“You love the way I touch you.”

“Yes,” I moaned.

“You’ll love the way my fingers feel inside you, too,” he said, teasing my entrance with a thick digit while he stroked my clit again slowly.

“Please.”

“Don’t beg me, Princess. You wear the crown, remember?” He filled me with his finger, and I tilted my hips so I could take it deeper. “So tight for me. My little virgin.” He pressed a kiss to the inside of my thigh, and I smacked the side of his head, earning a feral grin.

“More,” I breathed.

“Louder.”

“More,” I ordered, and he slid a second finger inside me.

He hooked them lightly, hitting my g-spot just right, and I cursed as my second climax tore through me.

His fingers were still buried inside me when I came down from the high, his gaze hot and his grin lingering. “Take off your top and start reading again. I’ll wait here.”

My hands trembled as I pulled my sweater over my head. Then my bra. And reached for the iPad. “This is vicious. I should report you.”

“To your king? I’ll make sure he hears about it.” Enzo lowered his lips to the inside of my thigh and sucked lightly on the smooth skin. “Have I mentioned that yours are the most perfect tits I’ve ever seen?”

My legs opened wider with the compliment.

He teased my g-spot again, and I took an unsteady breath in. “Read, Princess. Use your free hand to touch your nipple.”

I did as he’d commanded, but couldn’t focus on the words. He alternated between playing with my clit and my g-spot. His lips moved slowly up the inside of my thigh, licking and sucking.

My eyes closed after a few minutes, and I finally dropped the device next to me. “Just do what you want with me already, Alpha.”

“That’s not what I am to you.” He nipped at my clit with his teeth, and I swore.

“Enzo.”

He rewarded me with his tongue on my clit—and didn’t stop until I was so wrung out and exhausted that I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed him by the perfect, messy waves of his hair and towed him up my body.

“Just hug me,” I mumbled. “I need to sleep.”

“Alright, Princess.” He rolled beneath me, yet again being careful with my ankle. I was pretty sure it was healed already, but I didn’t say that. I was too tired to even think it.

His cock was like iron against my hip, but I ignored it. He did too.

“I want to eat you every night for the rest of my life,” he rumbled, his lips brushing my ear. I could smell my pleasure on his mouth, and felt a weak surge of pride.

He liked the way I tasted.

He liked making me feel good.

That was insane, and unexpected. And perfect.

"We’ll see.” My voice was barely above a whisper.

“Wake me up when heat starts.”

“It’ll wake you up on its own.”

He asked what that meant, but I was already asleep.

Vaguely, I heard him sigh and pull me tighter against him.

And kiss my forehead.

I had to have imagined that last part, though.

fifteen

ASPEN

HANDS WERE MOVING ROUGHLY over my body when I woke up. A mouth grazed my breast. Teeth followed it, making my body arch in pleasure.

The scent around me was so thickly Enzo, and all I felt was need.

“I can’t take it anymore,” he gritted out. When I met his gaze, I found more than the mindless lust I expected.

Desperation.

Guilt.

Need.

My body was much hotter than it had been the night before, but his attention seemed to have taken the usual edge off of my heat. I needed him to screw me—but I didn’t have to beg.

He shoved my thighs, and I opened them for him.

“I’m sorry, Princess.” He dragged his thumb over my clit. His jeans were gone, and the head of his cock was against my entrance.

“Don’t apologize. I need you too.” I slid a hand around his back, pulling him closer.

He drove into me powerfully, and I sucked in a breath as he bottomed out inside me once, and again.

His cock throbbed as he fucked me roughly.

Wildly.

The look in his eyes was nearly feral, and it made me even hotter.

I could already feel his knot thickening, and my own body responding with more wetness. More need. More pleasure.

He threw his head back and roared as he slammed in harder. Deeper. Rougher. I screamed and dug my fingers into his skin as I came around him, the pleasure coming faster and more intense than ever before.

His knot swelled inside me, so massive I could barely breathe. It hurt a little, but the pain was good.

His groan was tortured.

Blissful.

Shocked.

“What in the ever-loving hell is this, Princess?” he managed, his eyes glazed and unfocused as his pleasure was dragged out by whatever hormones, science, or magic, caused it.

“Heat,” I breathed.

It had never felt like that before.

Like… emotions.

It had always been sex, of course, and I’d gotten off. But I’d never felt safe. I’d never felt like me.

I did with Enzo.

“It’s fucking unreal.” He drove into me a little further, burying himself deeper inside me.

I wanted more.

I needed more.

“I know.” I lifted my fingers to his hair. There was blood beneath my nails, but he wouldn’t care about the wounds. Not during heat. “It’ll get better, too. Just let yourself feel it.”

He groaned, rocking me with him as he filled me again, another wave of pleasure taking him.

We were both sweaty and panting when his knot finally softened. He rolled to his back, taking me with him even though he pulled out of me to give me time to recover. He was too lost to heat to think about my ankle, but it really was fine.

“Holy shit.” He stared up at the ceiling, dazed. “That’s something else, Princess.”

“Yeah,” I mumbled into his shoulder.

“I can already feel it coming on again.”

“It’ll take hold of you more strongly, this time.” My hand was moving over his abdomen as I spoke. I wanted to touch more of him. Needed to touch more of him.

My hand wrapped around his cock, and he jerked for me. “Touch me like that, and I’ll give you anything you want, Princess.”

“You are.”

He growled as I twisted my hand a little. I’d never touched anyone that way, but I liked it. It made me feel powerful. And the way he moved told me I was doing it right. Or the rut was making him feel like I was, at least.

It didn’t last long before heat overtook me again, and I moaned. “I need you.”

“I’m already yours.”

Some part of me wished that was true, but it was lost to the pheromones of heat, and the pleasure of his body.

HEAT SUBSIDED BEFORE LUNCH TIME.

We were both sticky everywhere. Sweaty everywhere, too. I couldn’t move, though. Didn’t want to move.

Neither of us had said anything since heat’s insistence faded.

Enzo’s hand was moving slowly over my back, so I didn’t think he’d gone quiet out of disappointment.

“So that’s knotting,” he finally said.

A quiet laugh bubbled up, escaping before I could stop it. “Yeah.”

“Have to say I’m a fan.”

“I noticed. This poor couch is probably against it, though. Your release is everywhere.”

He chuckled. “I can feel it leaking out of you. You’ll be dripping for hours.”

“Maybe days.”

“Damn, I like that idea.” He squeezed my ass lightly, and I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling. “So what do we do now?”

“Shower thoroughly and go back to the pack.” Pretend like nothing’s happened, I added silently.

That’s what had happened in the past, at least.

But usually there was no cuddling at the end. That was a nice change.

Enzo grunted. “Five more minutes.”

I bit my lip harder as he held me tighter.

“I bought too much food. We’ll have to pack it before we can go,” he said.

“Okay.”

“Need to check my phone, too. Make sure the pack’s doing alright.”

“Okay,” I repeated.

“We’ll have to stop for something to eat on the way home.”

“Okay,” I said yet again.

His lips brushed my forehead lightly, and my throat swelled.

Though it hadn’t been five minutes, he eased out from beneath me and padded into the kitchen.

Back to reality we went.

ENZO GRUMBLED ABOUT IT, but I didn’t put my boot back on. I could put weight on it without any pain for the most part, so it was close enough to being fully healed.

We stopped for lunch before we reached the highway, and when we made it back, it was dinner time. My wolf had been out cold since heat ended, and I knew she would be for a while longer.

Enzo had to talk to his brothers, so as soon as he dropped our duffel bag in our apartment, he told me to eat in the cafeteria.

And left.

I blinked, staring after him as the door shut behind him.

That was different from his hovering.

Very different.

It wasn’t different from the way things went between me and Silas when heat was over, which threw me off balance. The experience as a whole had been much, much better, but that similarity still made me uncertain.

Enzo was giving me whiplash.

My stomach growled, so I decided not to give myself time to overthink it, and headed straight to the food.

I only made it three steps down the hall before a familiar face stopped me in my tracks.

My eyes widened.

My lips parted.

“Fletcher?”

He gave me a grudging smile. “I told you I found a new pack.”

“No way.” I rushed across the hallway and threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. “What happened?”

Fletcher grunted. “Your king tracked me down and convinced me to be your bodyguard again. Something about you not falling down the stairs when I was protecting you. He offered to pay me for it.”

“Tell me you didn’t turn down money for something you’d do anyway.”

“Of course I didn’t. I’m not stupid.”

A laugh burst from me. “Enzo convinced you? Are you sure it wasn’t one of his brothers?”

“I’m sure. On top of the dominance, he kept calling you his. It was obnoxious. I’m your twin brother. If anyone has a claim to you, it’s me.” He eyed me. “Not in a gross way.”

“I know. It’s the weirdly codependent thing. It’s fine.”

“No way around it at this point.”

I agreed. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“He asked me to keep it quiet until after heat, so you didn’t worry about me adjusting. Considering he’s paying me to guard you, I figured it didn’t hurt to play along.”

“Of course he did.”

“I’ve got a few friends here who have been showing me the ropes. It’s hard not to like this place after you get a good look around.”

“I know, it’s weird here. Everyone’s so happy.”

Fletcher chuckled, and we headed to the dining hall. It seemed like he knew how to find it better than I did.

He probably did.

“You know I don’t want details, but was heat…” he trailed off.

“Better?” My face warmed with the reminder. “Yeah. It was better with Enzo.”

The warmth faded when I remembered the way he had just walked away when we got back.

And how he just wanted us to be friends who screwed when heat came around.

It was ideal. Really, it was.

I just hadn’t ever pictured myself in a situation like that. Maybe I just needed time to wrap my head around it.

“I guess I’m glad,” Fletcher said.

I changed the subject. “Your bruises seem healed.”

“Most of them.”

“Have you seen Silas yet?”

It was a terrible question, and I knew that. As much as the feelings between me and Silas were unpleasant, they were so much worse between him and Fletcher. Their wolves still hated each other, and saw each other as enemies.

But there would always be a connection between them. Nothing could change the past.

“No. Thought that could make everything worse,” Fletcher said. “Why?”

He was right.

It could.

“He told me he was healing fine, but Enzo said he’s in bad shape. I guess the king delivered a gift basket in apology after he realized there was never anything romantic between me and Silas.”

Fletcher snorted. “A gift basket? I bet it was the same shit he dropped off for me with his thank you for keeping my future mate safe card.”

“Yeah. Look at this.”

I opened up the picture of Silas’s card and handed my phone to Fletcher as we walked through the cafeteria doors.

“Sorry about the injuries. Thanks for protecting her for me. I owe you one. But if you ever touch her again, I’ll feed you your own intestines before I rip out your heart.” He laughed, loudly. “Fuck, that’s good.”

People were staring at us. Everyone was.

My face was warm, but Fletcher didn’t slow down. He was used to it. People had always gawked at him because of what he was. Alphas as strong as him were rare, even if there were a bunch of them near his power level in Enzo’s pack. He was used to being the biggest, the toughest, and the scariest.

“He delivered it himself?” Fletcher asked.

“Apparently.”

“Who delivered what?” Jake checked, as I took the empty chair between him and some guy I didn’t know. Fletcher pulled up a chair from the other side of the table, and Jake scooted over.

“Oh, nothing,” Fletcher said, his gaze sweeping the table like he was checking for threats.

He probably was. It was technically his job, now.

He handed back my phone. Everyone was curious, but Fletch would never tell any of my stories without permission.

Silas’s whole pack knew what had happened with him and the king, so it wasn’t a secret. Word would spread eventually, if it hadn’t already.

And if I told my brother’s friends what had happened, it could help me become friends with them too. Then, I might have a few more allies in the pack. I needed that.

Especially if Enzo was going to revert to the pre-broken-ankle version of himself and leave a shit ton of distance between us. I was tired of being alone all the time and always hiding from everyone.

“The Alpha,” I explained, passing my phone to Jake. “He personally delivered this card to my old… boyfriend.”

It wasn’t the right label for Silas. He would probably be disgusted by the idea. At the very least, he would be extremely opposed to it. But how else was I supposed to explain our connection?

The guys passed my phone around the table, laughing and talking animatedly about how vicious the Alpha was.

They were proud of him.

I wasn’t sure whether to be amused or disturbed by that. Maybe some of both. Crimson Pack culture was so much different than any other I’d belonged to. It didn’t revolve around groupies and relationships; it revolved around pack structure and responsibilities.

That didn’t seem like a bad thing to me.

But then again, I was biased. Spending the night before climaxing on their Alpha’s face and the morning with his gigantic cock buried inside me ensured that.

I needed to get my head back in the game.

Off of Enzo, more specifically.

Mainly, I just needed to figure out a way to neutralize everything I was feeling.

It was all a lot.

But what we had was only sex. Just the first good sex of my life.

And I knew it had been good for him too. He’d made that clear.

But he left right after we got back.

So… yeah.

It was fine.

I’d figure it out.

Probably.

“What’s the Alpha’s cabin like?” Jake asked. “No one knows exactly where it is. Even his brothers don’t go there.”

“He only took me because it’s dangerous when I go through heat,” I explained quickly, worried they would think Enzo and I were closer than we were.

Fletcher didn’t look thrilled by my admission, but I didn’t see why it needed to be a secret. Everyone knew what I was. If scientists were ever allowed to use my blood, they might be able to make a lot more female werewolves.

Even if they didn’t, Enzo would eventually find out what my real gift was, and force me to turn a bunch of women for him. My life and the supposed freedom I was going to have were all ticking time bombs. None of it would truly last.

“Heat?” one of them asked.

I ended up explaining the process quickly, without any of the gritty details like knotting or how long it took. I also made up some BS about it only working on Enzo after we were mated, because Fletcher looked more like he was going to shit another brick with every piece of information I added.

Guess he wanted to keep it secret.

“Damn. So you didn’t even get a good look at the place because you were too busy screwing?” Jake checked. None of them asked too many questions about heat. They could probably see that Fletcher was pissed I was talking about it.

Fletcher growled a warning, and Jake lifted his hands, though his grin was wide and obvious. “Sorry, man.”

“I had time to look around. It’s a beautiful cabin,” I said with a shrug.

They all leaned closer.

They wanted the details.

“There are three bedrooms,” I said, “But I only saw one. It was big. The bed was massive. There was a gigantic shower, and a big soaker tub. No dead bodies or severed limbs used as decorations, surprisingly.”

A few of the guys exchanged grins.

Enzo was both an asshole and an enigma, so I didn’t blame them for wanting to know about his secret sanctuary.

I would’ve been curious too. Hell, I was curious too. Even if I was trying to pretend otherwise.

“There were a surprising number of books,” I said, not sharing the genres. His love of spies was private. That detail was mine. “A massive kitchen, too. I’m sure you guys know that he likes to cook.”

Nods went around the table.

I itched to ask if they knew why he rarely ate in the cafeteria, but I was supposed to be his mate. I shouldn’t have to ask them why he preferred to cook his own meals so often.

Even if everyone knew he had basically abducted me.

“That’s really all there is to it. It’s just a nice cabin.”

Fletcher changed the topic to something about a training session they’d all been through, and they all welcomed me into the conversation like I belonged. Like I wasn’t just the wolf chick the Alpha had claimed with his claws. Like I was one of them.

Part of the pack.

It made me ache, in the best way.

sixteen

ASPEN

AFTER WE ALL ATE, I asked to see Fletcher’s room. He was living in one of the rooms, in the new building everyone seemed excited about. The one I thought they might be imprisoning their groupies in, before.

My wolf finally stirred when the guys gave me a grand tour of the building. They pointed out multiple large common rooms with community kitchens that were always stocked. We stopped in a few gigantic game rooms that were almost all packed full of wolves.

Most of them looked like they were having a good time.

Those who didn’t still looked content. Calm. Safe.

We all hung out in one of the common rooms for a while, playing a card game I’d never heard of while snacks went around the large table. A few of the guys made s’mores over the gas stove. A mess ensued, and we all joked about it.

My wolf basked in the time with her pack. She’d never had that before, and she loved it fiercely. She wanted desperately to get out in the forest with them, but she wasn’t willing to cut off the bonding to make that happen.

After the first round of s’mores, one of the cooking guys presented me with a second one. He bowed his head with a dramatic, “For her Majesty, the Queen,” and laughter flooded the room.

Even Fletcher bit back a grin.

The mate bond didn’t seem so big or terrible if it came with card games, jokes, and s’mores.

EVENTUALLY, Fletcher and I ended up in his room. No one shared rooms unless they wanted to, according to the guys we’d been chatting with, but none of the rooms were big. Fletcher’s certainly wasn’t. It reminded me of a comfortable hotel room, nice, but only big enough for a bed, a closet, a small couch, and a bathroom.

I sat sideways on the couch, my feet resting on the cushions, while Fletch sprawled across the bed.

His forehead was creased.

Like usual.

“Stop worrying about me,” I said.

“They’re paying me to do it, now.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’d feel exactly the same if there wasn’t money involved.”

“Maybe.”

“Definitely.”

He sighed. “Of course I’m worried. You’re engaged to the violent, dangerous wolf king. You’re telling his pack your secrets, even though you know they’ll take his side if something ever goes down between you two. Some things need to stay quiet.”

“I’m tired of hiding, Fletch. I know things have been shitty for you because of me, and because of what you are. Being a powerful Alpha makes it hard to find a place. I get that. And I’m sorry that it cost you the Creeks. But for the first time in my life, I can actually talk about what I am. I can make friends. Hell, I—” I looked around the room, searching for cameras. “Are there cameras in here?”

“No. The pack’s land is light on cameras. Hunter gave me a two-hundred-page guide about all the different kinds on Crimson land and in the city, so I would know how to spot them and which ones can do what. He wants me to keep you in line of them at all times.”

“So we can talk in here?”

He nodded.

“Enzo said they’re hunting another female wolf. I don’t want them to catch her—not if she doesn’t want to be caught. But what if she does? What if she needs help? What if I don’t have to be alone?”

“You’ve never been alone.”

“I know, and I’m lucky to have you. But what if there were other female wolves? I could have someone to call when heat does weird shit to my body. I could ask them odd sex questions that I obviously can’t ask you or anyone else.”

“I get it. It would be different,” Fletcher grumbled.

“Exactly. I could belong here. I could have a home here. And yeah, Enzo barely wants to be friends, but that could be good, couldn’t it? I’ll get to have a job, an—”

“Enzo wants what?”

Oh.

Maybe I hadn’t told him that yet.

“Enzo doesn’t want to be mates the way our parents are mates. His wolf is the one who claimed me. Not the man. The man is keeping me around for the wolf. Enzo doesn’t have any feelings for me, and he doesn’t want to. We agreed that we’ll just be friends who live in the same apartment and spend heat together.”

Fletcher’s forehead creased, anger blazing in his eyes. “That’s bullshit. The wolf wasn’t the one forcing you to stay on bedrest because of your ankle, or cooking for you around the clock.”

“They have a weird relationship. It’s fine,” I insisted.

He shook his head. “There’s no way.”

“There is a way, and we’re going to find it.”

“You’re lying to yourself, and you know it.” His voice was blunt, but thankfully, he changed the subject. “Mom and Dad keep texting me. They know you blocked their phone numbers to keep them away from the king, and they’re threatening to show up here, guns blazing, if you don’t invite them.”

My eyes widened. “Shit.”

“He hasn’t killed me for hiding you. They should be fine,” Fletcher said. “From what I’ve gathered, he never takes a life without a good reason.”

“He almost killed Silas. Screwing me in the past was enough of a reason for him then.”

“Well, I can understand that. That’s just possessiveness. If Mom and Dad aren’t trying to take you from him, they’ll be fine.”

“Probably.”

“Probably is the best we can do right now, Aspen.”

He was right.

I knew he was right.

I ran a hand over the top of my hair anyway. It had dried weird after my shower, some parts straight and some parts wavy, but I didn’t care. No one in the pack had seemed to care either.

It wasn’t like I needed to impress anyone. Enzo wasn’t going to let me go, and he’d rather I look bad around his pack anyway.

“Alright, I’ll unblock them and call. Do I get to hear the full story of what happened at Creek, now?”

He grimaced. “No.”

I flashed him a glare.

He reluctantly launched into the story. When I glanced at the clock as our conversation came to a close, I made a face.

Nearly 1 AM.

“We need to call it a night.”

“Yup, need our beauty sleep for a big day of being trapped on your king’s land tomorrow,” Fletcher drawled.

“He’s not my king,” I corrected.

Fletcher didn’t look any more convinced of that than I felt.

“I’m kind of surprised he hasn’t come looking for me,” I added.

Fletcher grabbed his phone off the bed and scrolled through some messages. “It’s going to be a late night for him. I’m supposed to stay in the hall outside your room in my wolf form until he’s back.”

I picked up my own phone and turned on the screen.

No new messages.

My stomach clenched, just a little bit. “What’s he doing?”

What if he was in town, with another woman?

What if he’d wanted more after heat? What if I wasn’t enough?

I pushed away the ridiculous thoughts. Insecurity wasn’t my style. I had too many other problems.

And Enzo was the one who had claimed me. He said his wolf caught my scent and refused anyone else.

But he could lie.

Unlike him, I couldn’t sniff out the truth. I just had to trust him.

“Hunting rogues. Looks like someone went rabid a few hours ago. They took him down, but it took a while, and his pack had already scattered. I guess when one wolf goes rabid, another usually follows.”

Oh.

Damn.

There definitely wasn’t another woman, then.

Fletcher was oblivious to my insecurity, still scrolling through the messages. “Enzo’s still hunting, and they’re a few hours away from here. I doubt he’ll be back before the morning. I’ve heard how long these hunts can take even when there aren’t rabids involved. They’re being more thorough than usual right now.”

“So early morning is probably the soonest he’d be back.”

“Yeah. Lunchtime or late afternoon is more likely.”

Right.

Great.

The kid in me wanted to ask my brother if I could sleep in his room to avoid the dark emotions I’d have to deal with in Enzo’s. Mine.

But Fletcher was already worried about me.

And I was going to have to get used to those emotions, because they weren’t going anywhere.

I was going to be mated to the king. That meant sleeping alone a lot, and doing my own thing. I needed to make peace with that.

“Want to go for a midnight run with me?” I asked.

Fletcher grimaced. “I would, but the Savages gave me a list of rules when I joined the pack. Not taking you into the forest after dark was one of them.”

I scowled. “Seriously?”

“Yup.”

“You’re all assholes if you’re going to enforce that.”

“It’s for your safety. They hunt rogues. There’s a rabid wolf on the loose, and you don’t want to be anywhere near it.”

“It’s a few hours away, Fletch. Break the rules for me.”

His lips curved upward, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. He wasn’t going to do it. “Not this time. The city knows what you are now, so you will always be in danger.”

Wow.

I was officially on my own. At least, when it came to my supposed freedom.

“The rules are supposed to ease up after you seal the mate bond,” he said, as I slipped off the couch and padded toward the door. My ankle wasn’t sensitive at all anymore. The pain was gone entirely.

“We’re still two weeks away from that.”

“It’ll go by fast.”

I hoped so.

But at the same time, I hoped he was wrong. Because that meant I only had two weeks to find a way out of mating with Enzo.

There wasn’t a way out. I was confident of that, even if I wanted to convince myself otherwise.

We walked back to my room, and Fletcher gave me a quick hug before I left him outside. So he could guard me.

It was kind of fucked up, but what part of my life wasn’t?

Going to bed alone after spending the last week sleeping in Enzo’s arms felt kind of wrong, but I pretended I didn’t notice as I curled up in bed with one of his pillows.

My wolf was quiet, and a little sad.

Honestly, I kind of was too.

I hadn’t forgotten about the nightly oral sex he’d promised me. It obviously wasn’t going to happen, but I remembered his words clearly.

They had mattered to me.

Even though they didn’t seem to mean anything to him.

I tried to clear my mind, reminding myself that in two weeks, I was going to be free. I could be the one who left Enzo to sleep alone, or wake up alone.

That thought eased my messy emotions enough that I finally fell asleep.

AS FLETCHER PREDICTED, Enzo wasn’t back the next morning. He didn’t reach out to me in the pack link either, though I knew after talking to Fletcher that he could’ve.

He’d spoken mentally to my brother, but not to me.

That pissed me off, even when I tried not to let it.

Since I had nothing else to do and needed to get it over with, I called my mom after breakfast. I apologized for blocking her number to protect her from the king. Then, I invited her and my dad to come visit the Lodge.

They agreed readily.

Our relationship had always been a little strained after everything that happened with my first heat. They didn’t blame us, but we blamed ourselves. That was difficult to get past.

They were there an hour and a half after my call, so Fletcher and I gave them a quick tour while we chatted. I answered all of their questions, though I left out the sketchy bits. Like stripping in Enzo’s shower while him and his brothers stared at me.

And others.

So many others.

Ahem. Anyway.

Neither of our parents looked comfortable, but they were determined to see everything and figure out if I was safe.

I was safe.

Safe from everyone except Enzo.

We had lunch together in the dining hall, where they were charmed by Fletcher’s friends. Our friends.

When Fletch and I eventually walked them out to their car, my mother hugged me tightly. She whispered, “It seems relatively safe here, but if you ever need to get away from the king, you know I’ll help you disappear.”

Someone cleared their throat, and I cursed silently when I recognized the sound. And the presence.

Enzo.

He had great timing.

“Thank you,” I whispered back, squeezing her again before I released her and turned to face my Alpha.

Fletcher stood beside our father, with his arms folded. If it came down to a fight, I knew my brother and I would both give our lives for the human and wolf who had raised us.

Our parents looked like an odd couple from a human’s view, with our dad frozen in his mid-to-late twenties like all werewolves, and our mom around forty-five. But among shifters, that was normal. Hell, it made us proud to be what we were, because it was physical proof that mated wolves were loyal to the bitter end.

“I’m Enzo.” The king introduced himself, never one to shrink back from a confrontation. He offered my mother a hand.

She hesitated, looking at me.

The king was wet, wearing just a pair of low-slung jeans, with his soaked hair dripping down his neck and over his shoulders. He’d clearly scrubbed his hands, but there was still blood beneath his short fingernails.

I gave her a quick nod, and she accepted his hand, shaking it lightly. “I’m Christine,” she said. “Thank you for protecting my daughter, and giving my son a place to stay.”

She didn’t mean the words, and he would be able to smell that.

I fought a smile.

My mom was terrible at acting as if she liked people she didn’t.

Enzo made a noise of agreement anyway.

Apparently, he was even worse than she was at pretending to like people. That wasn’t shocking, though. I was pretty sure Clay was the one who handled social interactions when they needed to work with other people.

Enzo shook my father’s hand too, and I made eye contact with Fletcher. Though his face hid what he was feeling, his blue eyes were bright with humor.

Our parents left without bothering to exchange more pleasantries, and as soon as they’d turned down a road that was concealed by trees, Fletcher laughed loudly. “They hate you.”

The words were obviously for Enzo.

Part of me wondered if the king would retaliate, but he just grunted. “That was inevitable.”

“You stole my sister and got me kicked out of my pack. Of course it was inevitable.”

I bit my lip to hide my grin.

The king grabbed my hand and told Fletcher, “I’ll let you know when I need you again.”

My humor faded as Enzo all but dragged me back to the Lodge, and right to our room. The door shut behind him, and then his body was on mine, pinning me to the wood.

My eyebrows lifted as my arms went slowly around him.

More whiplash.

Serious whiplash.

Overflowing whiplash.

I needed a lifejacket or a neck brace or something.

“A warning that your parents were here would’ve been nice,” he rumbled.

“I didn’t know if you were even coming back.”

His grip around me tightened. “Of course I was coming back. I told my enforcers I was on my way.”

“I’m not one of your enforcers, Alpha.”

He growled at my use of the title. “I assumed they would tell you.”

“Did you ask someone to do that?”

His grunt was a clear no.

“Well, I have no idea which of these guys have which rankings, let alone who you’ve assigned as enforcers. So who would I ask?”

“I don’t know.”

“Neither do I.”

Enzo finally relaxed his grip on me, just a little. “I have responsibilities. I can’t stay here all the time.”

“When did I ask you to stay all the time? Or to stay at all?”

“You just—”

“I’m not the bad guy, Enzo,” I interrupted.

“I’m well aware that I fill that role, Princess,” he growled.

I pushed him away, and he reluctantly released me. “You don’t need to tell me things. I don’t need to know when you’re coming back, or what you’re doing. But you don’t get to be frustrated with me for not knowing things you choose not to share.”

He shoved a hand through his hair. “Fine.”

“I’m going for a run. Some bastard made rules against me shifting at night.”

His gaze flashed liquid gold as his wolf filled his eyes. “You’ll have lunch with me first.”

My wolf tossed her head in annoyance. She was on Enzo’s side most of the time, but at that moment, she was as frustrated as I was about sleeping alone without hearing from our mate.

“I already ate.” I slipped out the door.

Part of me waited for the king to chase me. Stop me. Pin me to the wall and tell me he couldn’t stop thinking about me when we were apart. Say that he would add me to his enforcer’s group chat. That he would let me know when he was going to be home the next time.

He didn’t.

And even though I knew his night had probably been hell, I couldn’t offer him support. I wasn’t emotionally available at the moment, and he had made it clear he wasn’t interested in having that with me.

We were just friends.

I wasn’t even sure if we were going to be that, most of the time. Maybe just people who screwed once a month and shared mating bites. I was just going to have to be okay with that.

I stripped out of my clothes and shifted when I reached the forest, leaving them in a pile by a tree. When I gave my body to my wolf, relief cushioned me, making me feel the freedom I ached so badly for.

Things were just easier when my wolf was in control.

Fletcher’s wolf caught up to mine at some point, and the beasts played together the way they hadn’t been able to since we were kids.

When we made our way back to the Lodge, I had to admit a small but significant truth to myself:

My new taste of freedom was worth dealing with Enzo a million times over.

seventeen

ENZO

WE LOST one of the rogue wolves.

My gut told me he would go rabid, and I knew I needed to stay out there to find him, but my wolf couldn’t handle being that far from his mate any longer. He wouldn’t eat or sleep without her.

I was too hungry and exhausted to fight him when he ran back to the Lodge.

After the shitshow that was meeting her parents, followed by the fight with her that could’ve obviously been avoided, I planned to let my wolf chase hers down. He was ready.

…as soon as we had enough food in us to think straight.

But when I sat down to eat a bowl of old, leftover pasta I found at the back of the fridge, exhaustion slowly set in.

I crashed on the table before I could finish.

I VAGUELY HEARD the door as it clicked shut. I didn’t hear footsteps on the floor, and couldn’t convince myself to lift my head off the table.

Maybe no one was there.

A warm, smooth hand landed on my shoulder a moment later, proving me wrong. “Enzo?”

Aspen’s fingers slipped into my hair, and I tried to say something. It didn’t come out sounding like an actual word.

My cock throbbed anyway. That fucker was hard as a rock thanks to my female’s scent alone.

She brushed the hair off my face. “How long have you been sleeping here?”

I managed a sound of protest.

“Don’t try to tell me you weren’t asleep. There’s drool on your arm.”

I was too wiped out to care.

“Come on.” She lifted my arm over her shoulder.

“Your ankle,” I argued, as she tried to take some of my weight.

“It’s fine. My wolf ran for hours, and we didn’t feel any pain.”

The words smelled true.

I was tired enough that I could’ve been imagining that, though.

“There’s no way I’m going to be able to lift you, so you’re going to have to help me here, Enzo.” She tugged on my arm for a minute, trying to adjust it, until she finally poked me in the side in an effort to wake me up.

I swatted her hand away, trying not to squirm.

Humor filled her voice “Tell me you’re not ticklish. There’s no way a man as big, powerful and gorgeous as you is—” Her fingers tickled my side, and I wrenched away, snorting and swatting. “Ticklish. You’re legitimately ticklish. How?”

“Everyone is ticklish,” I grumbled.

“Everyone is not ticklish. Certainly not strong, deadly men like the wolf king. You can’t be—” I grabbed her wrist when she tried to tickle me again and finally lifted my head off the table.

“I’m getting up.”

“Finally.” She pulled my arm the rest of the way over her shoulder. “You still have blood under your nails. Have you been asleep on the table all afternoon?”

“No.” I held my own weight as I stood, but let my arm droop so she felt like she was actually helping drag my ass across the room.

She looked over her shoulder at my pasta bowl. “Was that your lunch? It’s barely dinner time, and I’ve never seen you not finish a meal.”

My stomach growled to answer her question.

“You fell asleep during lunch?”

I grunted.

“I’ll grab some food from the dining hall for you.”

“I’ll cook. I need to feed you too.”

“My wolf took down a poor little bunny while she was running.” She patted her abdomen with one of her hands. “I’m definitely not hungry. And you’re obviously not in any shape to cook.”

“I don’t eat the dining hall’s food.”

“Why not?”

I made a noncommittal noise.

That story wasn’t one she needed to hear. Ever.

She sighed. “You’re ridiculous.”

Aspen tried to lower me to the bed, but I just collapsed on the mattress. My stomach could wait until morning.

I reached out to my brothers mentally. “Did they find the rogue?”

“Not yet. I’m sure he’ll turn up, though,” Clay said.

“I should’ve stayed.”

“You were dead on your feet. Even you have to sleep sometimes,” he countered.

“I should’ve slept in the forest.”

“Your wolf needed his mate, and he wasn’t taking no for an answer. He deserved the break. He took down two rabids and a bunch of rogues on his own. If the other guy goes rabid, we know where to find him,” Hunter put in.

“I can’t let that happen.”

“I don’t think you can stop it right now,” Hunter said bluntly.

I growled, but he wasn’t wrong.

“Get some sleep. When you wake up, you can track him again,” Clay said.

I agreed reluctantly, and sniffed the air. Something smelled off. My forehead creased when I realized Aspen wasn’t right next to me anymore.

“Princess?”

“I’m making dinner for your high-maintenance ass. Go back to sleep,” she called out from the kitchen.

Her words surprised me.

My wolf rumbled so fiercely, he almost purred.

If I could’ve heard him speak, I swear he would’ve sounded like a caveman, with a good old, “I choose good mate.”

I tried to stay awake, but couldn’t stop myself from dozing.

It felt like only a moment had passed when Aspen’s hand was on my bicep again, shaking me lightly. “Come on, big guy. You’re starving.”

My stomach rumbled again at the scent of something delicious. “Is that… grilled cheese?”

“A whole stack of it.”

“I want to fuck you so badly right now,” I mumbled, grabbing the sandwich off the top of the pile.

“Maybe tomorrow.” She ruffled my hair lightly. “There’s blood in this too.”

“I was in a hurry. Someone surprised me with their parents. I don’t know how to talk to parents.”

“It went as well as it could’ve in the situation. Don’t stress about it. It’s not like they can take me from you.”

I made a sound of agreement, already working on a second sandwich.

She played with my hair until my plate was empty and I was falling back asleep, too exhausted to even pull her into my arms.

My wolf was right.

He had picked a good mate.

eighteen

ASPEN

ENZO WAS GONE when I woke up. I don’t even know why I was surprised when I found the bed empty again, but I was.

I groaned at the ceiling when I realized the mattress was empty and cold, beside me.

I went to the trouble of making the bastard an incredibly simple dinner, and he still just—

My arm brushed a piece of paper. It crinkled.

I frowned.

Grabbing it off the pillow beside me, I read the short message:

Thanks for the food, I owe you one.

Enzo

I read it again.

And again.

Finally, I crumpled it up and let out a sound of disgust.

I hadn’t minded making dinner for him. Sure, I’d been pissed at him—until I found him asleep in the kitchen. The man was clearly exhausted. The pattern of his arm hair had looked permanently embedded in his gorgeous face.

It hadn’t taken long to put together why.

He’d driven most of one night, only sleeping a handful of hours.

He’d been up late the next night during my… preheat. Which was a truly terrible name. I wasn’t a freaking oven. But it fit, so whatever.

We were up early the next morning and thoroughly wiped ourselves out during heat. And that same evening, he had taken off to hunt a rabid wolf or three. Or five. No one ever updated me about the specifics.

He hadn’t gotten back until after noon, and seemed to have been running in his wolf form the entire time he was gone. Based on the way his stomach was growling and he barely had the energy to walk from the kitchen to the bedroom, I had to guess that he hadn’t eaten much, if anything, while he was gone.

So yeah, I didn’t mind taking care of him. His exhaustion was partially my fault. I probably shouldn’t have started a fight with him after he met my parents, but it was too late to go back in time.

And besides, even after he had some sleep and calories in him, he had ditched me again.

With a note so emotionless he could’ve left it for his brothers. Or my brother. Hell, it was close to the same thing he’d written on the card he’d given Silas.

Thanks for the food, I owe you one?

What kind of bullshit was that?

He wanted me to be his mate, didn’t he?

I rubbed my eyes.

Maybe I needed lessons on mating with someone without caring about them or something.

Or maybe I just needed… a distraction.

Yeah, that would do it.

On my phone, I had kept up with a list of things I wanted to do if I ever made it out of hiding. Casual sex was on it, but that obviously wasn’t going to happen. Going running in human form without perfume was one I could make happen. I itched to breathe fresh air through my lungs, without the stench of my perfume changing it.

I pulled it up for more. Some of them were a little ridiculous, but sometimes the small, ridiculous things felt like the most important:

-Go to a public library for fun

-Walk around a grocery store without perfume to smell all the smells

-Get a tattoo

-Get a massage

-Get a manicure/pedicure with those uncomfortable-looking fake nails, just for the experience

-Go to a gym

-Go clothes shopping in person

There were a bunch of possibilities. One of the only things I’d ever done that came with an honest-to-goodness risk of discovery was getting my hair done, but all of the hairdressers in the salon were human, so it hadn’t really been dangerous. And I’d only done it to blend in, which took the fun out of it.

I wanted a tattoo—a few tattoos, actually—more than I cared about any of the other things. So, if I was waking up alone, I was going to do what I wanted.

Get a tattoo.

There wasn’t a chance that Enzo or his brothers had thought ahead enough to put that on the list of things Fletcher wasn’t supposed to let me do. They were smart, but they weren’t that smart.

Excitement coursed through me.

I was going to get a tattoo.

Hopefully.

I texted Fletcher.

ME

You outside my room again?

A wolf barked outside.

That would be a yes.

I took a quick shower, making sure to scrub my hair so I could get Enzo’s scent off my body, just to bother him. When I washed my lower half, I had to fight a grin. His scent would officially be gone from there too.

Given the way my brother would be guarding me, people would still have questions. Word about what I was had already spread, too.

But at the moment, there was nothing truly tying me to Enzo.

And that felt a hell of a lot like freedom.

I slipped out of the bedroom with my hair still wet and my feet still bare. Enzo hadn’t bought me any new shoes when he replaced my clothes. It seemed safe to assume that mine were gone after he invaded my cabin at Creek. The perfume on them could’ve been wiped off, so I hoped he’d donated them, at least. I hoped he’d donated everything. Throwing them out would be a huge waste.

“What are you planning?” Fletcher asked, his voice wary as he caught up to me. He’d shifted fast and pulled on a pair of pants, not bothering with a shirt.

“You’re going to need shoes,” I announced.

“We’re going into the city?”

“Yup.”

He grimaced. “I’ll get a few more guys.”

I didn’t argue.

I was too excited.

LESS THAN AN HOUR LATER, Fletcher pulled one of the pack’s Jeeps up in front of a large tattoo studio. It was technically Silas’s. His pack was officially responsible for the postal service in Crimson River, but after he opened a new, expensive tattoo place in town eight years earlier, he’d started attracting every artistic werewolf and groupie in town to his pack.

So basically, they had a handful of old, chill shifters who handled the mail, a shit-ton of dramatic, artistic ones, and nothing in-between. Silas technically owned all of the studios that his pack ran, so they couldn’t have overthrown him if they wanted to.

Not that they wanted to.

None of those artsy bastards wanted to be in charge. The older ones just wanted to work their mail routes effectively so they could keep clocking out at three every day.

I hadn’t texted Silas about the tattoo, of course. I always tried to contact him as little as possible. We’d talked more in the last week than we had in the last year.

But a few months earlier, I’d had an in-depth, hours-long conversation about tattoos with one of the women from his pack. I’d been waiting for him to finish a complicated tattoo so we could leave for heat, and her client had no-showed, so we ended up chatting for ages.

Fletcher slept through the entire thing, but I had never forgotten it.

I didn’t have an artistic bone in my body, but I loved tattoos.

So, that woman was the person I texted. She’d given me her number after our conversation, and told me that if I ever decided to take the plunge and get a tattoo, I should hit her up. Her work was gorgeous, so I had no problem messaging her since I could finally go for it.

ME

Hey, this is Aspen Keys. We had a conversation about tattoos a few months ago, and I’m looking for an artist

NOVA

OHHH YES

Aspen Savage now?

ME

Reluctantly, yes

NOVA

Just tell me when

To cover the king’s mate’s skin, I will clear my schedule ;)

ME

Today?

NOVA

Hell yeah

What time?

ME

I can be there in an hour, give or take

NOVA

Yesss I’ll be there

Door will be locked, we’re not technically open yet. Just wait for me

It didn’t surprise me when she was late.

She hadn’t seemed like someone who was particularly concerned with things like time when I met her before.

And honestly, I would’ve waited a lot longer than the fifteen minutes I did. Even though Fletcher was watching me warily, like he was trying to come up with a way to convince me to change my mind.

Tattoo ink could change the way a person smelled. Hopefully, Enzo was into chocolate and pine trees mixed with ink. If not… well, maybe I wouldn’t have to mate with him after all.

So there was another potential perk of getting a tattoo.

“The Alpha is going to kill us,” Arthur grumbled, plopping down next to Fletcher and Jake on the bench outside the studio. It was only 9 AM, so the city was still pretty much dead. Everything was spread out so much that it never really felt alive, but still.

I was too excited to sit, so I was leaning against the truck, parallel parked just outside the studio.

“I’m surprised none of you have told him yet,” I said, half-expecting his mind to crash into mine as he told me I wasn’t allowed to make decisions without his approval.

I’d give him the mental middle finger if he tried, but I wouldn’t exactly be able to fight off his guards if they dragged me back to the truck.

“The mental connection causes him pain. We have to go through Clay or Hunter,” Jake said.

“What did they say?”

Jake snorted. “Clay said tattoos are sexy, and that it was your body, not Enzo’s. Hunter ignored it.”

I grinned.

I had no idea whether or not Enzo would agree with his brother, but I didn’t care. It was my body.

The studio’s door finally opened, and Nova smiled wickedly. “Ready to raise some hell, Wolf Queen?”

“Yes, but do not call me that.” I stepped inside, and she laughed as she yanked the door shut behind me. Growls and curses ensued, but she was already walking through the studio.

The guys all caught up to us quickly, grumbling. None of them looked suspicious of her, at least. It would’ve been hard to suspect her. She couldn’t have been more than five feet tall, and her hair was dyed a dark shade of teal that was nearly black. I couldn’t see any of her roots, so I assumed the dye job was recent, though it was the same color it had been the last time I saw her.

Part of her hair was pulled back, revealing an ear dotted with piercings. I had two in each ear myself, but they were both on my earlobes. I made Fletcher help me pierce them, to avoid any chance of risk.

The earrings stayed with me when I shifted, so I had never dared to wear anything bigger than small studs. Nova had two small hoops, but most of hers were around the same size as mine.

She was wearing a pair of thin leggings, hot pink Doc Martens, and a white tank top with an unbuttoned flannel shirt over the top. The flannel was rolled up her forearms. Floral and landscape tattoos covered her arms and chest, disappearing into her clothes.

She was cute. Sexy. Fun. Small.

No werewolf would ever feel threatened by her, myself included. She smelled like coffee, and underneath that, tattoo ink. With a hint of hair dye, though I only recognized the scent because of my trip to the hair salon for my highlights.

Most wolves didn’t drink coffee. We found the scent too strong.

Nova and I chatted while she sketched her own take on the designs I’d found for inspiration. My security entourage stayed in the small room throughout that, but when she started working on my skin, they moved out to the hallway and took up residence there.

The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable when it set in while she worked.

It was peaceful.

The tattoo hurt way more than I expected, so I mainly focused on staying still rather than reacting to the constant pain. That was harder than I expected.

Time passed slowly.

Other people arrived and left while she worked.

“So does the king know that any of these are happening?” she asked me, as she cleaned the finished tattoo on my ankle.

“Nope.”

She grinned. “Don’t give him my name.”

I laughed. “I won’t.”

“This should heal up nicely in a few hours,” she said, grabbing a few large, clear bandages. “The one on your collarbone is already looking good.”

I lifted my hand to the birds she’d inked into my skin there, brushing my fingers over the bandage.

Enzo would recognize what they stood for immediately.

Freedom.

“Just text me when you’re ready to start that sleeve, and we’ll make it happen.” Nova winked at me.

She was taking her time with the bandages. More than I expected.

Her gaze flicked to the hallway, and lingered on the men out there for a moment. They didn’t so much as glance our way, having a conversation with some other guy who was in the process of getting inked.

She looked back at me, and bit her lip. “How is the Lodge? Do you feel safe there?”

My forehead creased. “Yeah, the Alpha is really protective. Hence the security entourage.”

She nodded. After another moment of fiddling with the bandages, comparing them to my leg, she asked, “Has Silas ever mentioned me?”

My crease deepened. “No.”

“Right. He wouldn’t have.” She let out a steadying breath and lifted her gaze to mine. Her green eyes went electric, and I sucked in a breath before they faded back to their human shade. “He told me about you. I’m looking for help. Protection.”

“Protection?” My voice was strangled.

I really wasn’t alone. There was another female werewolf. And Silas had been hiding her. Hiding her from me.

“Someone else learned what I am. I’m not sure who. He’s leaving me messages. Dropping dead animals at my door. Creepy things like that. Silas has tried to figure out who he is, but he hasn’t found anything, and I’m getting nervous. I don’t have anyone else to turn to, but if the king might protect me…”

Shit.

Holy shit.

“He would. His mother was a female werewolf. Him and his brothers are…” I trailed off.

His brothers.

I took her arm in my hand and lifted it to my nose, inhaling.

Coffee. And ink.

“Have you visited Greenview recently?”

It was her turn to look confused. “Yeah, I work at a studio there for a few days every month. I’m trying to train my wolf to live away from the pack. Why?”

My gaze flicked to the men in the hall.

They still hadn’t looked our way.

I leaned a little closer to Nova. “Hunter caught your scent there and has been looking for you.”

“Hunter?”

“The king’s Gamma.”

Her eyes widened. “He’s my stalker?”

I shook my head. “He’s been combing the forest, trying to find you. That’s how he found me. If he knew who you were, he wouldn’t bother. The Savages don’t mess around.”

“My stalker definitely knows who I am, what I am, and where to find me. What does Hunter want with me? Why is he looking?”

I grimaced. “Apparently, when a male wolf catches a female wolf’s scent, he decides she’s the one and won’t take no for an answer. Enzo the man doesn’t even really want me, but he’s gone to all these lengths to keep me because of the wolf. We’re going to seal a mate bond under the next full moon.”

Her eyes filled with horror. “The king’s Gamma wants to mate me?”

“Yeah.”

She leaned toward me, the bandages still in her hands, but forgotten. “I should move away. Go to the humans.”

“Your wolf will lose her mind, Nova.”

She pressed her lips together, forehead creasing. “So what, I have to choose between a potentially violent stalker or the Gamma? What was his name again? Hunter?”

I nodded. “He’s the nice brother, if that helps any.”

“He’s a Savage!”

Her voice raised enough that Fletcher looked back at us, his forehead creasing.

I rolled my eyes at him and he shook his head, turning back to the conversation. “Fletcher’s getting suspicious. He’ll try to listen in, now. We’ve got to talk quieter,” I murmured.

“Would he tell the king?”

“No. He’s on my side.”

Mostly.

“How bad is the stalker?” I asked.

“It’s easier to show you. Let me finish this.”

She quickly put the bandages on, then pulled her gloves off and slipped her phone from her pocket. “I thought about going to the police, but I can’t do that without admitting the truth.”

Nova handed me the device, and my eyes widened when I saw the messages. There was one or more compliments about her hair, her outfit, or a tattoo she’d done, every single day. He addressed her as “little wolf” every time.

That was creepy enough, but mixed in with the compliments were even worse statements.

They were definitely escalating, and the most recent messages were the most graphic by far.

“Nova,” I said, lifting my concerned gaze to hers.

“I know. He comments on all of my social media posts, too. He calls me Little Woman instead. I’ve tried reporting him, but the sites don’t think the comments are threatening.”

“You have no idea who he is?”

“None.” She dragged a hand through her hair. “I don’t know what to do. We can’t find him. Silas is the one who told me I should think about going to the king. I told him he was crazy. I mean, your king nearly killed him.”

I grimaced.

“But Silas thinks his injuries are proof that he wouldn’t let anyone else near me.”

“He wouldn’t. Hunter really wouldn’t, if he wants you as his mate.”

“I don’t want a mate.” She slumped back in her chair. “Have you seen how possessive those furry bastards get?”

I shot her a look.

She gave me a grudging grin. “Alright, you’ve seen it.”

“I obviously won’t tell you what to do,” I said, sitting up and easing my legs over the side of the chair. “But I have a pretty good idea about what it’s like to be paired with a Savage. I wouldn’t recommend it, honestly. But if I had to choose between your stalker and my king, I’d walk myself back to the Savages without batting an eye.”

She nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

“Think about it before he has a chance to act on the things he’s saying, okay?”

She nodded again.

“We could have fun in the pack together. It would be nice not to be the only girl. And life is different when you don’t have to hide.” I stood up.

“Don’t tempt me, Wolf Queen.”

“Seriously, you can’t call me that.”

“Sure I can. In two weeks, you’re going to be mated to the king.” She stood up, and I followed her out of the room and to the register. “You’re going to want a crown tattoo next time, aren’t you?” she teased, as I paid with an app on my phone.

Enzo hadn’t brought back my wallet or the small crossbody bag I used to carry my cash and candy, but I hoped I’d find it at some point.

“He’s the one talking about getting a crown tattoo.”

“So it’ll be matching crowns.” She grinned. “Does he have any other ink?”

“Nope. Just ridiculously beautiful skin.”

“We’ll have to corrupt him, then.” She handed me the receipt, and I dropped it in the trash. “Just don’t tell him I said that. I’d rather not end up with broken bones.”

“He wouldn’t hurt you for insulting him.”

“But if you insult Aspen, it’ll be a different story,” Jake said easily, stepping up beside me. “Are we leaving?”

“Yep, we’re done.”

“You should really think about getting a more comfortable couch in that hallway,” Arthur said, rubbing his ass. “Ouch.”

“We try to dissuade loitering, actually,” Nova tossed back.

“It failed today,” Jake teased. The way he was eyeing her made it clear he was interested. She looked him up and down, like she was considering it.

I had no idea if she was brave enough to risk someone catching the scent of her wolf through casual sex, but if she was really Hunter’s mystery girl… well, being with Jake would be a bad call for him.

“Text me if you want to meet up at a bar or something this week, Nova. I can’t escape these bastards, but it would be fun to get out.” I gestured to the men around me.

“Your king would let you go to a bar?”

“He’s gone so much that I doubt he’d know I went at all.”

“We would tell him,” Arthur said helpfully.

I rolled my eyes, and Nova grinned. “I’ll text you.”

nineteen

ASPEN

ENZO DIDN’T COME BACK that night.

Or the next.

Or the one after that.

I didn’t hear from him, either.

I went shopping for shoes the first day without him, and replaced my missing combat boots, sneakers, and sandals.

I met Nova for lunch the day after that, and we talked about everything except her stalker and the fact that we could both grow fur.

And Enzo.

We didn’t talk about him either.

We went to a bar together the next night. My entourage minus Fletcher flirted up a storm and made plans to meet up with the groupies they met after I was safely home. Nova and I just sipped fruity drinks and hung out, though.

Honestly?

It was fun.

I’d never had a friend I could actually be myself with before. I got along fine with the women in my old packs, but I never hung out with them.

Nova and I went to a different bar the night after that. We were weighing the pros and cons on a list of potential jobs I could get, when everyone in the bar suddenly went quiet. I only vaguely noticed it, and not in time to do anything about it.

“The nice thing about a gig at a smoothie place would be the quiet,” Nova said, tapping the paper. “You probably won’t need the money from a better job, and—” she cut herself off as her gaze focused on something over my shoulder.

And she paled.

Immediately.

My nostrils flared, and my wolf purred.

Shit.

Enzo took a seat beside me in the booth and slid over until his side was pressed against mine.

I tried not to react to his presence, but my wolf made me rumble. His wolf did the same.

“Go on,” he said.

I wasn’t sure whether he was talking to Nova, or everyone else in the bar.

The conversations around us resumed slowly.

Nova cleared her throat.

“Nova, this is the Alpha King, Enzo. Alpha, this is my friend, Nova,” I said, to bridge the sudden awkwardness.

And to warn him that he was already on thin ice with me.

He still wasn’t communicating, and calling him Alpha was the easiest way to let him know I wasn’t happy.

If he cost me my friend, I was going to be the one breaking bones. And they would be his bones.

He draped his arm over my shoulder, lowering his nose to my hair. His arm and chest were bare, since he was just as shirtless as usual.

When he took in my scent, he growled.

“Wow, look at the time,” Nova said with fake brightness in her voice as she slid out of her seat. “I have to go anywhere other than here. It’s been fun.”

I mouthed, “Sorry.”

She mouthed back, “Don’t worry about it.”

And she left.

I envied her freedom to do so, even though I wouldn’t have traded places with her. She’d quietly shown me the newest messages from her stalker, and that shit was terrifying. If they got any worse, I was going to have to be a really terrible friend and straight-up tell the king what she was so him and his brothers could protect her.

“What are you doing here?” I asked Enzo, speaking quietly so everyone in the bar wouldn’t know our business.

He ignored my question. “Why the fuck does your hair smell like Jake’s?”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Jake slip out the front door with a woman.

Coward.

“You didn’t order the unscented conditioner you said you were going to buy me. Jake had an extra bottle of one that barely smells. I won it off him in poker two nights ago.”

“Poker?” Enzo’s voice lowered.

“Yeah. Your pack likes me. I like them. They invite me to play poker now.”

He growled. “Our pack.”

“Sure.”

He gathered my hair in one hand so he could lower his nose to my throat.

I tensed.

He went still after he inhaled. Then, he inhaled again. “Why do you smell like ink?”

“I got a tattoo.”

Technically, I’d gotten three tattoos. But a tattoo sounded better when I wasn’t sure whether he’d be pissed or not. And a public bar in his city was not the place for him to lose his shit.

His entire body tensed. “You what?”

“I got a tattoo,” I repeated.

He let out a slow breath.

Then, he pulled me out of the booth, setting me on my feet in front of him.

The room quieted again.

Enzo’s grip on my hips was tight as he walked me across the bar, his cock hard against my ass. He was wearing jeans again, and was still missing a shirt.

He guided me into the women’s bathroom. It was empty. Everyone in the building was in the main part of the building, watching the king.

Waiting to see what he would do to me.

He released my hips as he shut the door behind us. I stepped back so there were a few feet between us, and put my hands on my hips.

“Why are we—” I began, but he cut me off.

“Clothes off,” he said.

I blinked.

“Take your clothes off, Princess.”

The command shouldn’t have turned me on, but it did. I hated myself for that, just a little bit. My wolf was practically vibrating with excitement, so I was blaming her.

“That was a command, not a request,” he stated.

“Fuck you. I’m not one of your wolves.”

He took a step toward me.

I took a step back.

“You are my mate, and you altered your scent without my permission. Take your clothes off now.” He wasn’t joking.

My wolf surged to the surface, and my t-shirt was over my head a heartbeat later. My boots, socks, and leggings followed.

My bra and thong stayed on. I had enough control of myself to ensure that.

His eyes were narrowed as they moved down my figure slowly.

Too slowly.

Down, then back up.

I tried to slow my breathing. It was too fast. But it only grew faster as he took me in from head to toe.

Finally, he stepped forward.

I forced myself to stay where I was.

He prowled around me slowly, like he had in his shower that first day. This time, his fingers moved over my skin as he moved.

They brushed the small tattoo of birds flying over my collarbone. The moon and flowers on my ribcage, just below my breast. He crouched down to get a better view of the aspen trees wrapped around my ankle, growing up my calf.

When his hand slipped around my knee and he kneeled in front of me, my breath caught.

He leaned his nose to my core, pulled my panties aside, and inhaled my scent there.

His chest rumbled.

It sounded like approval, but that didn’t ease my tension. It could’ve been something else. Like anger.

“Which male had his hands this close to your breasts?” he asked, his voice low and gravelly.

“None. My artist is a woman.”

The woman his brother was looking for, but I didn’t say that.

His chest rumbled again.

Definitely satisfaction.

I relaxed a little—but then his tongue moved over my clit.

I choked on the air, grabbing his hair to hold myself upright when I nearly fell backward on my ass.

Enzo adjusted his grip to steady me, wrapping his hand around my ass before he snapped the fabric of my thong with a claw and tossed it aside. He hooked one of my legs over his shoulder, opening me up so he could kiss me deeper.

Rougher, too.

My face twisted as he fucked me with his tongue, taking more of my weight until I was choking back a cry of pleasure as I came on his mouth.

As my high faded, reality set back in.

We were still in the bathroom.

In a bar.

In public.

With people knowing we were in there together, and probably listening very closely to us.

“You like the tattoos?” I managed, pushing his face away from my core. He was licking me clean, taking every drop of my desire, and making me wet again as he did.

“I do. I like them even more now that you smell like me.” He let me pull my leg off of his shoulder and take one shaky step back—but then he was standing in front of me.

Walking me backward, until my bare ass met the wall.

Gross.

“We’re in a bathroom, Enzo,” I said, as he slipped his hand between my thighs.

He captured my lips, and my toes curled at the taste of him mixed with the taste of me.

He’d never kissed me before, but his mouth was perfect.

I pulled back anyway. “There are people outside, listening to us.”

He recaptured my mouth.

I let him kiss me for a moment, barely suppressing a moan when he rolled his thumb over my clit just right.

Then I pulled away again, breathing a little harder.

“They’re going to watch us when we leave. They’re going to smell us. We can’t do this here.”

His lips brushed my ear.

I squeezed my thighs together when he dragged his teeth lightly over my lobe, catching on the piercings there. “I’m the king, Princess. I can do whatever the fuck I want. And right now, that’s you.”

Oh.

Wow.

Shit.

He kissed me again, harder, and I put a hand to his face and literally pushed his forehead away from mine.

His eyes narrowed at me.

“I haven’t heard a word from you in days, Enzo. You don’t get to show up, scare my friend off, and fuck me in a bar bathroom. You’re the king, but if you want me to be your queen, this shit will not fly.”

I should’ve stopped him sooner, but hey, better late than never.

He blinked.

I waited.

After another minute, he grudgingly pulled his hands away from me. My wolf growled at me for depriving myself of his touch, but she would just have to get over it.

“I was hunting a rogue wolf,” he finally said, his voice low and gritty. Goosebumps broke out on my bare skin at the sound, but they were ignored. “I slept too many hours with you and lost its scent. I’ve been trying to find it again.”

“Did you find it?”

“No.” There was bitterness in his voice. Worry, too.

“It hasn’t gone rabid yet, then.”

“Not yet, but it will. And rogue wolves always find a new pack quickly.”

If one rogue on the edge of going rabid joined a pack of others, it could set off a chain of blood.

More rabids.

More death.

“Why did you come back, then?” I asked.

He didn’t look nearly as tired as he’d been the last time I saw him. He must’ve slept in the forest and eaten out there, at least a little.

“My wolf.”

The furry monster wanted to see me.

It was sweet, if slightly disappointing.

I needed to stop hoping the man would come back for me. Or reach out to talk to me. Or… do anything for me just because he wanted to, really.

I needed to accept that there was no desire on his side of our connection. It was just the wolf.

But I didn’t know how.

“Alright. Let’s find somewhere else to talk, so he can get his fill of me and you can go back to hunting.”

Enzo blinked again, clearly surprised.

I pushed his body away from mine lightly, and he gave me just enough space to slip through. Before I could bend down and grab my clothes, he had picked them up for me.

Neither of us mentioned the torn panties as I pulled my leggings on without them.

And it didn’t pass my notice when he slipped them into his pocket.

A glance in the mirror proved that my face was flushed, but I looked normal other than that. Everyone would be able to smell my desire on Enzo’s breath, and know exactly what he’d done to me.

At least his release wouldn’t be dripping down my thighs. I could maintain some of my pride.

Every eye that had been on the bathroom door snapped away when we walked out. Enzo held me in front of him, the way he usually did, using my body to hide his erection. His jeans helped keep it under control for the most part, but the man was gigantic. There was no way to fully hide it, especially after he had his mouth on me the way he did. The man was just plain horny.

Maybe everyone would smell his desire too.

Fletcher was waiting outside the bar when we made it out, and fell into step beside us. I expected Enzo to let go of my waist, but he didn’t.

“I’ll get her back to the pack’s land. You can have the next few hours to yourself,” Enzo told my brother. “I’ll leave again whenever you’re back.”

Fletcher grunted and turned back to catch up with his buddies.

“He’s only been to his room to change for the last few days. He hasn’t even had time to get settled in your pack. Find someone else to switch off with him so he can have a break sometimes,” I said.

“No one else cares as much about making sure you’re safe. After we seal the bond, my scent will protect you and his hours will be reduced.”

“No one needed to guard me while I was in our room at the Lodge before,” I countered.

“I’m taking your safety more seriously now.”

I scowled. “Is it about my safety, or about your possessiveness?”

He didn’t answer.

I didn’t think he really knew.

“Your friend. Who is she?”

“Nova Jacobs. She’s one of the females from Silas’s pack. Born in, not a groupie. I met her a few months back while I was waiting for him, and we talked about tattoos for hours. I like her. You’re going to treat her politely.”

“Fine.”

We reached his truck, and he lifted me into the passenger seat. He reached past me to buckle my seatbelt for me before he shut the door and walked around to his side.

His door closed too, and we were officially alone.

I let out a puff of air. “If you join me in a public place like that, you can’t put your hands all over me the way you did. It makes people uncomfortable.”

“You belong to me. I can touch you however I want, whenever I want.”

“I belong to me. If I say no, that’s the answer.”

He growled, but didn’t disagree. He knew I was right.

He pulled away from the curb. “Nova smells like coffee and ink. Like Hunter’s mystery woman.”

Shit.

He was smarter than I wanted him to be.

She was going to be pissed if he abducted her too.

“I didn’t smell a wolf on her, and I would know if she was a shifter,” I stated. It was a risk. Enzo could call my bluff.

But both statements were true.

The coffee and ink hid her scent from me entirely, and I would know if she was a shifter. I did know.

He made a noise of reluctant agreement, and I knew I’d won for the moment. He’d bring it up again, but I had time. He wouldn’t pay her any more attention until he was done with the escaped rogue wolf.

There were a bunch of ways I could try to warn her over text that he was asking about her, but we had plans to meet up for lunch again the next day. It would be safest just to tell her then, so Hunter wouldn’t read the texts and think there was anything fishy going on.

“How did you end up at a bar with her?” Enzo asked.

“Nova? Oh, she’s my tattoo artist. We had a good time talking, so we made plans afterward.”

He nodded. “And there were no men who…”

“Tried to flirt with us? No. None of the women even tried to talk to us. I don’t have to have your scent on my skin to tell people I belong to you. The three gigantic alpha males did that for me, and scared everyone away from me in the process.”

Enzo looked satisfied by that.

He turned onto the highway, headed back toward the Lodge. After a minute of silence, he swore and lifted his hand to his temple.

“What happened?”

“The rogue went rabid,” Enzo gritted out, flipping the truck in a sudden U-turn. I grabbed the oh-shit handle as I slammed against my locked seatbelt. “He’s only a few minutes down the road from here. I have to handle it before he kills someone. You’ll stay in the truck.”

His voice rang with authority, but when his gaze moved to me in the rearview mirror, I could see that he was worried.

He turned sharply down a dirt road.

I tightened my grip on the bar. “Agreed.”

There was no world where I could fight a rabid male werewolf and not end up dead. I had no idea how to fight. My wolf would try to hold her own, but she was as clueless as I was.

“It hurts that badly when you communicate with someone?” I asked.

“It’s easier to talk to my brothers.”

Maybe that was why he hadn’t talked to me when he was gone.

Still, he could’ve asked one of his brothers to add me to a group chat so I knew what was going on. He clearly just didn’t want to.

“Has anyone died yet?”

“Not yet. A few of my enforcers are chasing him, and he’s headed in our direction. There’s a human woman injured. Her scream brought them over. One of them is with her, and it doesn’t look good.”

“Shit.”

“You’re staying in the truck.”

“I know. You already said that. I agreed.”

The silence between us was tense until he stopped in the middle of the dirt road. There was nowhere else to park, but he didn’t turn the vehicle off.

“Don’t leave the truck,” he repeated. “If the fight comes here, back up or drive straight. If someone brings the wounded woman, they’ll take you back to the Lodge. You can trust them.”

“Okay, Enzo. I’ll be fine. Deal with the threat.”

He jerked his head in a nod, like he was trying to convince himself that he agreed.

Then he grabbed my face and kissed me.

Hard.

The kiss was over as soon as it began. He stepped out of the truck, and dropped his clothes. Black fur replaced gorgeous, smooth skin before he disappeared into the forest.

Suddenly, the road felt very dark.

And very small.

And very empty.

My wolf watched the trees closely, on alert.

My fingers dug into the seats.

I should’ve shifted. At least then, I could’ve been ready to run. As it was, I felt like a sitting duck.

I lowered my window just a sliver, so I could hear the forest. My wolf’s ears strained as she listened, but she couldn’t hear a thing.

Logically, I knew Enzo wouldn’t leave me close to the rabid wolf. He wanted to protect the city, but he was insane about it when it came to me.

So obviously, he hadn’t left me where I could hear the wolves.

I listened anyway.

A few tense minutes passed.

Then a few more.

When I heard a large tree branch snap in the distance, my eyes widened.

Was the rabid coming? Was Enzo on his way back?

More snapping branches followed.

Someone was barreling through the trees. Moving fast.

My wolf listened closer.

Only two feet.

Moving too fast to be human.

It had to be a massive werewolf, because they sounded heavy.

Maybe it was Enzo, but it didn’t make sense for him to be coming at me that fast on two feet.

I rolled my window up and climbed quickly into the driver’s seat, putting the truck in drive. If it wasn’t someone I recognized, I was hauling ass out of there before anything bad could happen. I was still a female wolf. People could still want to—

A man burst into the clearing. I vaguely recognized him from the pack, but didn’t try to place him.

Because there was a woman in his arms. Her body hung limp, her light skin pale and speckled with blood.

I threw the truck in park again and climbed into the backseat. I had no idea how to get to the Lodge, so the guy was going to have to drive.

He saw me in the back and ripped the door open, setting the woman in my arms. “Hold her tight and try to put pressure on her chest. We need to get to the hospital.”

His voice was grim.

There was wet, shiny blood on his hands, and all over his bare chest. The scent of it was so thick, it turned my stomach.

I looked down at her abdomen and nearly choked.

Peeking out below the shirt he had balled over her chest, I could see the tops of four thick wounds.

Claw marks.

Slashes.

Deep ones.

The guy was in the driver’s seat, taking us in a quick U-turn, a moment later.

I pressed down hard, but I could see how shallow her breathing was. She had to be unconscious. She had to be barely—

“I’m going to die,” she rasped, her eyes opening as she stared vacantly at the ceiling.

She was going to die.

I could almost smell the death on her skin.

My wolf sat up, and though we couldn’t speak, I knew what she was thinking.

The girl was going to die… unless we tried to save her.

My teeth lengthened. My wolf was ready. But the only time we’d tried in the past, it had almost killed me.

What if it really did kill me this time?

“You’re going to be fine,” I told the girl.

We both knew it was a lie.

Her eyes closed.

A tear tracked down her cheek.

“What happened to her?” I asked the driver.

“Her dad was one of the rogues. His pack wouldn’t let her leave, even though she was the only one in human form. They were all insane. We don’t know how long she’s been out there.”

My throat swelled.

She looked so young.

Seventeen or eighteen. Maybe nineteen.

I couldn’t let her die.

I just couldn’t.

“I’m going to try to change her.” My heart pounded fiercely. “If it works, she’ll be a werewolf. Enzo will know how to make sure she’s safe. If I don’t make it, tell him… well, tell him to protect Nova.”

“What are you talking about?” The enforcer sounded agitated.

Worried.

I didn’t have time to explain, though. And if I did, it would only give him time to argue that my life was more important.

It wasn’t.

At least I’d gotten to live nearly twenty-six years. I wasn’t letting a teenager who’d been trapped in the forest with insane wolves die.

So I lifted her arm to my mouth, and I bit her.

I felt the drain on my energy immediately. Every hair on my body seemed to stand up straight, and the energy felt electric as it left me.

My breathing went ragged.

My vision started to wobble.

The girl gasped and jerked upward. I didn’t have the strength to hold her down any longer, but she didn’t roll off my lap.

The drain on my energy grew fiercer.

My wolf growled when my vision spotted.

I released the girl’s arm. The connection between us had officially been created. There was no turning back unless I killed her. Which wasn’t going to happen, since I was risking my life to save her.

Though the world was spinning around me and everything had gone out of focus, I felt a rush of something.

Pride.

Confidence.

I wasn’t sure whether it was mine or my wolf’s, but one thing was clear.

I’d done the right thing.

The connection between me and the girl snapped suddenly, and everything went dark.

twenty

ENZO

MY MATE WAS in a hospital bed.

The girl beside her was curled up in a ball next to her.

In her new wolf form.

She was a tiny, dark blonde wolf. Much smaller than Aspen’s.

The scent they shared was so thick, so powerful, that no one had dared separate them.

Both were connected to bags of IV fluids. Medicine. Who knew what else.

I couldn’t stop pacing.

“Tell me again,” I growled at James, my enforcer. He was slumped over in a chair, exhausted but unsurprised by the order.

We were both covered in dried blood.

Someone had handed us clean clothes, and I’d only bothered with the shorts.

“Aspen said she was going to try to change the girl. That if she succeeded, the girl would become a werewolf. She told me to tell you to protect Noah if she didn’t make it. Then she bit the girl, and she passed out.”

That had gone down nearly twenty-four hours ago.

I hadn’t known she was at the hospital until multiple hours after it had happened. I’d still been in the forest, hunting down rogues.

While my mate was in the hospital, suffering.

Possibly dying.

If James wasn’t the last one to talk to her, I would’ve already ripped his throat out. This wasn’t a broken leg—it was her fucking life.

Clay strode into the room and handed me a bag of takeout food. “Eat this.”

“Who the hell is Noah?” I growled.

“We’ve got two of them in the pack, but they’re both fine,” Clay said, for at least the third time.

Fletcher was in a chair next to his sister, his eyes dark and his hair mussed.

He’d been informed of her condition before I was. He was the one who told me.

Fletcher refused to say a word about whatever he knew as far as his sister’s ability to turn humans into wolves. He hadn’t been surprised that she did it, though. Not when James told her about the nineteen-year-old woman bleeding out on her lap.

My rage flared.

I clenched my fists harder.

“No one else could’ve taken down that rabid before it killed someone,” Clay said, setting a hand on my shoulder. I shook him off. “She made her decision. There was nothing else you could’ve done.”

My entire body shook.

“Eat the sandwich. It’ll help,” my brother added.

I wanted to break his fucking nose.

The pack’s doctor came in and looked at the women’s vitals. Checked the fluid bags hanging. Read something on a screen nearby. “The girl’s vitals are strong. She’s healing much faster than she should be. Faster than a male werewolf.”

“Female werewolves heal faster,” Fletcher said.

I glowered at him.

I’d already known that, but what other information was he keeping from me?

“She’s going to make it,” he told me, though his expression was grim. “She’d be dead by now if she wasn’t. We’re going to have a bigger problem on our hands soon.”

No fucking kidding.

If Aspen could turn women into werewolves, the entire city would be at my gates, demanding that she change their mates. Their cousins. Their sisters. Their kids.

And it obviously wasn’t a trick she could repeat infinitely. Her heartbeat was so weak, Fletcher was the only one who seemed sure she would pull through at all.

“Eat the sandwich,” Clay said, and stepped away again. His phone rang, and I saw Hunter’s name on the screen before he lifted it to his ear. “Did you figure out which Noah needs protecting?”

“No, but I found a name for the girl. Sydney Lawrence. We have another problem, though. There’s a small crowd gathering at the hospital doors. They’ve got cameras. I’m sending more of our men in to keep things from escalating, but they want to know what’s going on too.”

Fletcher caught my gaze again. “She’s not going to be able to stay here.”

“Unless you make a statement,” Clay told me. “With none of your usual personality. They need someone to calm them down, not threaten them.”

“Then you do it.”

He shook his head. “It has to be you.”

I snarled again.

I didn’t want to walk away from her… but if the alternative was to put her more at risk, I’d go.

Striding up to Aspen’s side, I put a hand on her forehead. The blood on my skin was dry, and I ignored it.

Her heartbeat picked up a little with my touch. It was so slow and weak, that was a good thing.

I lowered my face toward her head, setting my free hand on her hip before I said into her ear, “If you die, I’ll have to kill your brother, Princess. Don’t even think about it.”

She didn’t stir, but some part of me felt like she had heard me.

I slid my hand over her forehead and said without looking away, “I’ll be right back.”

It took a few more minutes before I finally convinced myself to leave her side, but I eventually strode out of the room and into the hallway.

Clay fell into pace with me. “They’ll listen better if you wash your hands. And your chest. And your face.”

“I don’t want them to listen. I want them to be too afraid of me to come anywhere near her.”

Clay made a noise of disagreement. “Fear isn’t the best route here. They fear losing the women they love to old age and death more than they fear losing their lives.”

“I’m aware. Every wolf and woman in this city are going to want her to use that magic on them, their mate, or someone they’re related to. They all need to be more afraid of me than they are hopeful.”

Clay sighed. “Alright. Just—”

“No justs.”

The hospital’s doors slid open.

I stepped through them, and the bumbling crowd outside went silent.

Phones lifted to take pictures or videos. That was good. I wanted the images of me covered in blood to circulate.

“Anyone who prevents those or their loved ones in actual need from getting into the hospital will spend the next month in jail,” I said, glowering at the crowd.

A lot of the people in it took a large step back.

Male werewolves stepped in front of female humans, as if they could protect the women from me.

If I wanted them dead, they couldn’t.

“The rumors are right,” I said flatly. “My mate somehow turned a dying human woman into a werewolf. We don’t know how. We don’t know why. Her life is currently hanging on the edge, and we don’t know if she’ll make it. Yet here I am. Forced to talk to you.”

As a whole, they took a few more steps back.

It wasn’t far enough.

“If Aspen can make more wolves without killing herself, she’ll want to do it. And if this is the cost every time, I will not allow it, and I will enthusiastically tear into anyone who would try to make her. If you want to challenge me over something that could kill my mate, go ahead.” I spread my arms wide, dominance pouring off of me. “I’ll enjoy watching every one of you bleed.”

I stalked back into the hospital.

If any of them spoke back to me, I’d have to kill them to make a statement.

Thankfully, none of them did.

When I stepped back into Aspen’s room, I made sure she was still stable before I finally stepped into the bathroom and scrubbed my hands.

It took longer than it should’ve.

I shouldn’t have let the blood dry for that long.

When they were clean, I finally went back to my mate’s side and put my hand on her face.

Her heartbeat grew slightly stronger again.

She wanted me close.

Fletcher leaned forward, his eyes on the heart monitor’s screen. The doctor had told us what to watch for so we would know if she was going downhill—and the opposite was happening.

“Your touch helps her,” Fletcher said, both surprised and urgent. “Get in bed with her.”

I already had her blankets and tubes lifted, but there was a bunch of medical crap connected to her.

He and Clay both came over and helped me lift things. A moment later, I was on my back on the tiny hospital mattress, with my mate’s fragile body on top of mine.

My neck contorted as I watched the screen and listened to her heartbeat.

Slowly, it grew stronger.

“Holy shit.” Fletcher’s palms were on the bed as he leaned over us, watching Aspen’s face.

The doctor stepped into the room, stopping in the doorway and taking in the scene. “Her wolf must recognize your scent.”

“Of course her wolf recognizes me,” I said quietly, trying not to disturb her.

“Male wolves don’t respond to a human female’s scent, even if they’ve been mated to them for decades,” he said. “You haven’t even sealed a bond yet.”

“There hasn’t been a full moon.” Mate bonds could only be sealed beneath a full moon. That was one of the few things my father had ever bothered to teach me. I didn’t see why it mattered, but he had insisted, and even humans only mated beneath the full moon because of it.

“Of course.” The doctor stepped closer, and my wolf rumbled menacingly.

Aspen moved, just a little. Just a crease between her brows and the flinch of her hand on my chest.

My growl cut off immediately.

“Her vitals are well on their way to normal,” the doctor said. “She has no internal or external injuries. At this point, it seems safe to assume she’ll recover. If we knew how the process worked, we’d have a better idea of how long it would take, but…”

I looked at Fletcher, my eyes narrowing.

The bastard looked exhausted.

Maybe Aspen was right about letting someone else trade him places at night.

Everyone else looked at him too.

He grunted. “It’s her story to tell.”

“She’s unconscious in a hospital, Etch,” James said, just as wiped out as her brother. “Her privacy isn’t worth a damn anymore.”

My wolf snapped internally.

He wanted her privacy to matter.

But James was right. The most important thing was getting her healthy. We could figure out where to go from there. She had already been weak and unconscious for too long. Almost a whole day.

Fletcher let out a slow, heavy breath. I knew he’d been keeping their family updated on her condition. Their parents, and Silas. None of them had tried to come visit, so I knew they were in on this secret. He must’ve told them to stay away, assuming I’d kill them for keeping it from me.

I wouldn’t.

I would’ve kept it quiet too, if I’d been in on the secret. Letting the city know what she could do was a risk to her life, and I wouldn’t have taken that risk no matter what it could mean for everyone else.

Why didn’t she know that?

Fletcher closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, they were darker. “It’s an energy transfer. The process. We’ve theorized as much, at least. We were infants the only other time it happened. Our birth father was the only one who saw what happened. According to him, Aspen bit our birth mother, and the transformation started immediately. She was shifting, her body growing fur and contorting, but it was failing. Aspen turned blue, and she stopped breathing. Our birth mother made him take her life to save Aspen. He did, then took us to our adopted parents, and made our adopted father kill him because he couldn’t live with what he’d done.”

Fuck.

Just… fuck.

“So we think it’s an energy transfer,” Fletcher finished, his gaze dark as it lingered on my mate. His sister. “We never knew if it was one she could actually survive. Until now.”

The doctor looked intrigued.

“I’ll need to run tests on her blood and saliva. I doubt we can recreate that in a lab, but it’s worth a try. I—“

“Not until she’s healed. And not unless she gives permission,” I growled.

He lowered his chin to his chest, agreeing. “Of course.”

“How much longer?” Fletcher asked.

“If she’s truly just resting and her vitals remain where they are, I would assume she’ll wake up soon. There’s no guarantee, though.”

She might never wake up.

But if the ability to turn human women was naturally a part of her, I had to believe she would survive it.

I’d lose my mind if she didn’t.

The doctor checked on Sydney. When he adjusted one of the tubes connected to her, his fingers brushed her fur, and she jerked backward. Her wolf gave a weak growl.

Clay crossed the room and squatted next to her, lowering his voice. “Hey, Sydney. It’s alright. You’re okay. You’ve become a werewolf, but our pack is here to help you through it.”

She saw fur, and moved a little. Then yelped.

“You were fading,” Clay said gently. “The king’s mate bit you. She’s a female werewolf. Her bite changed you into one of us, and saved your life.”

Sydney growled weakly, but seemed to calm down a little.

Clay rubbed her fur lightly. “It’s going to be okay. Keep resting.”

He murmured to her for a few more minutes before her breathing leveled out again. The plastic armrests on the side of the bed prevented us from touching, which I appreciated. I didn’t want the other woman’s scent on my skin when Aspen woke up.

ANOTHER FEW HOURS PASSED.

The girl shifted back to her human form, and Clay helped her into a hospital gown. When he offered to have James and Arthur take her to the Lodge, she whispered that she wanted to stay until Aspen woke up.

People brought her food.

Spoke with her in hushed whispers.

Aspen stirred a few more times, but didn’t truly wake up.

I waited.

A FEW HOURS LATER, my mate finally opened her eyes.

It was dark outside.

Most people in the room were asleep.

The second hospital bed had been wheeled out, and Sydney was asleep on top of Clay, in an uncomfortable-looking chair. She’d been given the all-clear, and her wounds were gone completely. My brother was snoring, completely out too.

Hunter had come with dinner for everyone and was typing on his phone in the corner.

Fletcher dozed on and off. More on than off, but he woke up to stare at the screens showing Aspen’s vitals every now and then before he dozed again.

“Did you find out who Noah is?” I asked Hunter, my voice low and my grip tightening on Aspen. If Noah was a lover she’d lied to me about, he would die. Painfully.

“Still going through all of the registered Noah’s. Haven’t found anything concrete. None with connections to her.”

“Fucking Noah.” My chest vibrated more than it should’ve.

“Who’s Noah, and what did he ever do to you?” Aspen whispered.

My heart stopped abruptly when the gorgeous female peeled her head weakly off my chest.

“Princess?” I cupped her face with my hand, taking the weight of her head to ease her pain. If she was in pain.

“Is the girl—”

“Sydney is alive, and furry. Back in her human skin for the moment, but very much a wolf,” I said.

Relief crossed her face.

Then worry.

“Does the city know?”

“They do. I won’t let them come for you.”

“What about Nova?”

Nova?

My forehead creased.

Ahh.

Fuck.

She wanted us to protect Nova. James heard her wrong.

“Pack females are never at risk,” Hunter said, his tapping coming to an end.

Aspen’s worried eyes met mine. “I might have misled you about something important.”

I waited.

I was too relieved she was okay to care about being lied to.

“I told you I would know if Nova was a wolf. I do know. She is. Silas has been protecting her, but she has a stalker. Someone else who knows what she is. Nova and Silas don’t know who. If that person realizes she could turn humans...”

“I need a last name,” Hunter said.

His voice was too calm. Too measured. He didn’t know what we knew.

“Jacobs. She’s a tattoo artist.” Aspen’s gaze was locked with mine.

“She smells like coffee and ink,” I said.

Hunter was out the door a heartbeat later.

“You can’t be mad at me. You told me not to leave the truck, and I didn’t,” she whispered, her eyelids drooping over her eyes.

“I know, Princess.” I helped her lower her head back to my chest. “Are you in pain?”

“No. Just tired.” A moment passed. “Can we go home? We’re both covered in dried blood, and this bed is really uncomfortable.”

I barked out a laugh.

Fletcher was at our side a moment later. His hand was on her arm, and I didn’t snap at him for it. Even though I wanted to.

“Aspen?”

She tipped her head to the side and gave him a small, sleepy smile. “Hey, Fletch. I’m okay.”

Emotion welled in his eyes. I averted mine to give them a little more privacy. It was as much as they were going to get, because I wasn’t letting go of her.

“Don’t fucking do that again.” His voice cracked.

“I won’t.”

I smelled the lie in her voice. My grip tightened, but I didn’t tell him. I was going to be the first one to argue about that with my mate.

And I knew her well enough to be damn sure there would be many of us arguing with her over it. When she cared about something, she was as stubborn as she was gorgeous.

“You look like shit,” she mumbled to him, and he gave her a small smile.

“You look worse.”

She laughed softly. “How long have I been out?”

“A day and a half.”

“Guess I missed our birthday. Oops.”

“We can celebrate when you’re healed.”

“Okay.” Her eyelids lowered again. She was clearly exhausted. “Can you make Enzo take me home?”

He glanced at me. “I don’t think I can make your mate do anything.”

Damn straight.

I would get her home, though. After the doctor said it was safe to move her.

“I think I need to sleep,” she mumbled.

“Good call.” Fletcher ruffled her hair lightly. “Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Something about the words made my chest tighten.

She had never said them to me.

I had never given her a reason to.

Did I want her to?

Maybe I did.

But if I wanted that, I was going to have to work my ass off to make it possible. She had clearly been pissed at me in the bar. And during that day, before she made me grilled cheese.

I’d forgotten to ask Hunter to add her to the enforcers’ group chat, too.

Shit.

Maybe I’d messed everything up.

That might’ve happened the first day I told her she was going to live in my room and be my mate, though.

Aspen fell back asleep in my arms, and something in my throat thickened.

Yeah.

Maybe I wanted her to love me.

Fuck.

twenty-one

ASPEN

I WOKE up a handful of times over the next few hours.

As Enzo carried me out to his truck.

As Fletcher drove us back to the Lodge while the king cradled me in his arms.

As my Alpha slipped into the bathtub with me and carefully washed all of the dried blood off our skin.

As he helped me into a pair of my spandex shorts and one of his tanks.

As he pulled me into bed with him, his bare chest separated from mine with just a thin layer of fabric.

My wolf purred when I fell back asleep in his arms.

In his bed.

Our bed.

HUNGER WOKE me the next day.

Enzo was already in the kitchen, cooking.

“Stop calling me,” he growled. “She’s fine. I can hear her heartbeat and her breathing. She’ll call you when she’s up.”

It seemed safe to assume he was on the phone.

I stretched, and my wolf yawned.

Her tail wagged at the scents coming from the kitchen.

Eggs.

Bacon.

Hash browns.

Toast.

Yum.

I was still a little tired, but I didn’t feel weak anymore. That seemed like a good sign.

“Princess?” he called out.

“I’m awake.” I didn’t raise my voice, but I knew he’d hear me.

“Your brother’s driving me insane. Can you call him and tell him you’re alive?”

“Yeah. Where’s my phone?”

“On the nightstand.”

Right.

Should’ve guessed that.

My cheeks warmed a little as I grabbed it, unplugging it and typing in my code. I took a second to scan the messages on the screen.

NOVA

Are you okay?

They’re telling me you’re okay, but unconscious

I know that being trapped with these bastards is protecting me from my stalker and anyone else who might want to use me, but I want to stab this growly fucker in the eye

My lips curved slightly. I asked Enzo, “Did Hunter take Nova?”

“Yeah.”

“Is she here?”

“Yeah. He let her move into her own room, though.”

“Wow. He must have learned what not to do with a woman by watching you.”

I heard his scoff from the kitchen. “You’re alive and safe. I’m doing fine.”

Right.

Sure.

If fine was his word for abducting me and confusing the heck out of me while maintaining insanely possessive behavior, he was doing fine.

I ran a hand through my hair. It wasn’t tangled. He must’ve brushed it for me.

He was taking care of me on top of the abduction and possessiveness. Maybe that counted for something.

Or maybe it didn’t.

I didn’t have a clue, and I was tired of trying to figure it out.

I hit the button to call Fletcher, and lifted the phone to my ear. He answered instantly.

“I knew you were awake. That asshole has been lying to me,” he growled.

“Literally just woke up, Fletch. Good morning to you too.”

“It’s three in the afternoon.”

“Good afternoon, then.” I yawned. “Want to go for a run? I still haven’t checked that off my list of things to try now that I’m kind of free.”

“No, I don’t want to go for a run. Our forests are full of wolves who want to take you and force you to turn their human women. The only reason they haven’t attacked yet is because your mate is fucking terrifying, and threatened the whole city.”

“He’s technically not my mate yet.”

Enzo growled in the kitchen.

Fletcher growled on the phone.

“I said yet,” I told both of them.

Would I ever be free of dominant, possessive men?

It seemed more unlikely by the day.

“You have to mate with him,” Fletch said. “The full moon is in a few days. If you don’t seal the bond, people are going to think he’s weak. They’re going to attack. A lot of them will die, but if enough people work together, they will beat him. Our pack is big, but not that big.”

“Relax. I know. I’m going to mate with him. I get it.”

Despite the shitshow that was apparently going on outside, I was relieved.

The truth was out.

There were no more secrets.

I had nothing left to hide.

And that felt incredibly freeing.

My fingers brushed the birds on my collarbone. Enzo hadn’t let anyone take me. He had threatened them. Fletcher was even on his side, and considered the Crimson Pack ours.

Everything was okay, at least for the moment.

Fletcher growled again anyway. “Is your wolf on board with the bond?”

I laughed softly. “My wolf has been in love with him since the moment she met him.”

I heard Enzo drop something in the kitchen.

That was weird.

He never dropped things.

He probably hadn’t gotten enough sleep, or eaten enough food. He seemed to do that often.

“You’re way too calm right now,” Fletcher finally said. “People want to force you to turn more humans, at your own detriment. There are more than sixty thousand wolves here. At least twenty-thousand humans. Maybe more. At three days of recovery a pop, do you know how many years it would take you to turn all of them, without taking any breaks?”

“No. Something tells me you do, though.”

“One-hundred-sixty-four. And a third. Assuming you don’t keel over before that.”

“That’s a lot of years,” I said.

“Of course it’s a lot of fucking years. And if the other forty-thousand wolves suddenly decide they want human mates, which they will, we’ll have to triple that. That would be almost five hundred years, Aspen. Do you think Enzo is going to stay sane while watching you suffer repeatedly for five hundred years? Do you think I will, either?”

“No. But technically, there are three of us who can turn women.”

“Assuming Nova and Sydney have the same ability and can survive using it.”

“Why wouldn’t they? It’s not that much different from creating life by giving birth. Although it takes a lot less time. And energy, probably.”

“Aspen. Listen.” Fletcher’s voice lowered. “We didn’t know if you were going to recover. Things were looking bad before Enzo climbed into bed with you. Whatever is between you guys, your wolf recognized it, or your body recognized it. He’s the only reason you’re as healthy as you are right now.”

Oh.

I looked at the kitchen, but couldn’t see Enzo from where I was.

“You’re calling him by his name now,” I said.

“I’ve reluctantly decided I like him.”

My lips curved, slightly. “That makes one of us.”

“Don’t lie to yourself. He’s a fucking bastard, but he’s your fucking bastard.”

“Maybe.”

Enzo strode out of the kitchen with two plates in his hands. His jaw was set. He didn’t look happy, but he was bringing me food. Tons of it.

“Do you think the mate bond will make it easier for me to change people?” I asked both men, the phone still to my ear.

“I don’t know. I don’t think you should change anyone, ever again,” Fletcher said.

“We’ll see. I’ve gotta go, Fletch. I’ll get dressed and head out to find you soon. Love you.”

“Love you too. Don’t go easy on him, but… go easy on him.”

I rolled my eyes and hung up the phone.

Enzo sat next to me on the bed, but didn’t hand me my plate. He set it next to him instead, and cut the fried eggs.

When I reached for it, he swatted my hand away.

My forehead creased.

He filled the fork and lifted it to my mouth.

“I can feed myself, Enzo.”

“Open.” He lifted the bite to my lips, and I reluctantly let him feed it to me. “I talked to my brothers about the touch thing. Hunter thinks he remembers our father holding our mother when he needed her to recover faster after he beat the shit out of her once.”

My stomach tightened. “If that works, I could turn people more often. Whittle down that hundred-and-sixty years.”

One-hundred-sixty sounded better than five-hundred, so I was going to lean on that number rather than the other one.

“If.”

“Yes, if. All of this is unprecedented. But if I can do it without killing myself, I can fix things. Stop people from going rogue. Turn their mates. Nova could help, maybe. If she wants. Hunter could help her through it, if they—”

“Hunter doesn’t want a mate. He’s not willing to play house to appease his wolf. He’s protecting her to satisfy the beast, and his wolf is laid-back enough to accept that.”

Oh.

Well, that was okay.

“I’ll just have to do it myself.”

Enzo growled, lifting another bite of breakfast to my lips.

When I swallowed, I asked, “Is that what you and I are doing? Playing house?”

“I don’t know.”

“It didn’t feel like that in the bar’s bathroom.”

His eyes blazed gold.

His wolf was at the surface.

He kept feeding me.

I didn’t bring it up again.

Obviously, he didn’t want to discuss it.

I let him feed me until the plate was empty, then slipped into the bathroom when he picked up his own food. He tried to give me some of it, too, but he needed the calories. I doubted he had eaten at all while I was unconscious.

I wasn’t really dirty, but I wanted to feel truly clean, so I started the shower and slid beneath the water. My eyes closed as it rained over my head, washing away some of my exhaustion and stress.

Everything was okay.

I’d saved Sydney’s life.

I would figure out a way to make things work.

Even if Enzo wasn’t willing to help me recover every time, I could pull through. Maybe it would take longer, but my body could probably adjust to the cost of changing someone, and learn to do it more effectively.

I nodded.

My wolf rumbled her agreement. She thought we needed more female wolves, too.

And even if Nova and Sydney weren’t interested in helping me turn other women, someone would be. I could start with changing people who agreed to help me turn others. If there were a handful of us, and more followed, we could whittle down that hundred and sixty years pretty quickly.

Or at least semi-quickly.

I was basically immortal, so I could sacrifice a decade or two to prevent more men from going rogue. No one deserved to be in the position Sydney had been in when I found her.

The final outcome would be worth it.

I washed my hair. The lightly-scented conditioner I’d won off Jake was gone from the shower, replaced with something new. I sniffed it, and found it pleasantly unscented.

Enzo would’ve been behind that.

I opened the bottle, but before I could squeeze it into my hand, a large fist stole it from me.

I sighed. “Enzo…”

“What’s the best way to use this? I might’ve done it wrong in the bathtub.”

I tried to take the bottle back, but Enzo squirted it into his hand and set it down where it belonged.

“You just run it through your hair, then untangle it with a comb or your fingers. I don’t put it on my roots. That makes my hair greasy. Just start around here.” I reached back and showed him.

He grunted agreement, and carefully put it on the strands.

His fingers moved through the lengths.

My eyes closed as he untangled it slowly.

Unhurried.

Like he had nothing else he was supposed to be doing. I knew that wasn’t the case, but didn’t stop him.

I pressed my hands to the wall of the shower to hold myself upright.

“We need to talk, Princess,” he said, still combing my hair with his fingers.

“You want to break up?” I mumbled. It was supposed to be playful, but didn’t come out that way. He obviously wasn’t going to break up with me.

His chest rumbled. “No. I’ve been doing things wrong.”

I blinked.

“I don’t know anything about having a mate.”

I blinked again.

“When you told me it bothered you not to know where I was, I should’ve communicated mentally with you, or added you to the enforcer chat. I realize that now.” His voice was gruff.

He didn’t like admitting he’d done something wrong.

It wasn’t something he did often. I didn’t know why he was doing it at all.

“You don’t owe me that,” I said. “We’re just friends. Barely friends.”

“That’s bullshit. We’re going to be mates. Mates are more than friends. I want to fuck you in bar bathrooms.”

I sputtered a laugh. “That’s not going to happen, Enzo.”

“Not just in bar bathrooms.” He stumbled over the words. “I don’t want us to only be together during heat.”

“You want us to have casual sex?”

“Not casual. Neither of us will ever be able to screw anyone else. Even my dad couldn’t stomach that much betrayal. The most twisted people still have boundaries.”

Enzo wasn’t one of the most twisted.

Not even a little.

“I don’t know how you expect us to have regular, not-casual sex without developing feelings for each other,” I said. “Sex is innately emotional. Maybe some people can do that, but I’m not one of them.”

“Would it be that bad to develop feelings?”

My eyes widened.

“What are you actually trying to say?”

“I want you to fall in love with me,” he growled.

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

A moment passed.

“You what?” I finally asked.

His chest rumbled. “I want you to love me.”

“A one-sided relationship where I love you and you’re always gone doesn’t exactly sound like something I would enjoy.”

“I would love you too. I want us to be mates. Real mates.”

Holy shit.

Holy shit.

“You said you were going to give me freedom. That was the whole point, remember? I’m not going to agree to anything that will lead to me being trapped like your princess in a tower any longer. I want to make my own decisions. I want—”

“I made a plan. To help you turn the females,” he said abruptly.

I blinked yet again.

“You lied to Fletcher when you told him you weren’t going to do it again. I’ve come up with an effective way to make it happen. I won’t go through with it until you agree, though. I’d rather you not do it again. But I didn’t think you’d agree to stop.”

“What’s the plan?”

His chest rumbled a little.

He rubbed at it.

His wolf was bugging him. Worried about how the conversation was going, maybe. It definitely wasn’t going well. I didn’t know why he would’ve expected it to, though.

“We’ll close our borders and make an application. Run background checks. Only those who are already identified as groupies and mates will be allowed to fill it out. Mates will come first. Oldest ones at the front of the line. They’ll have to agree to stay with my pack until their bonds are sealed, so we can make sure heat doesn’t screw anything up. We’ll start with anyone who has unstable medical conditions. Having wolves should heal them.”

My throat swelled.

He continued to detail the plan and how it would work. Not just with the wolves, but with the government. The media. The businesses in the city, even.

When he started going into potential issues with the humans and how he would resolve them, I finally interrupted him.

“Enzo,” I said, carefully. “I appreciate that you made a plan and considered everything. I really do. But that’s a separate issue from what we were talking about.”

He let out a harsh breath. “I don’t know how to make love happen.”

“You can’t make love happen.”

“I know. That’s why I’m making plans.”

“Because you can control plans?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know how to make love happen either. I don’t really think I’m ready for that.”

He jerked his head in a nod, but his jaw was clenched.

He thought I was rejecting him.

Maybe I was.

“I’m not saying no to you wanting us to be real mates. I can see that happening eventually. But it’s going to take time, if it does. I don’t really trust you. As the Alpha, yes, but not as my mate.”

“Time. That’s… doable.”

I bit back a laugh at the stiffness in his voice.

Enzo wasn’t patient.

A guy like him didn’t really have to be. Not very often, at least.

“We could treat it like we’re dating,” I said. “Like the guys do with groupies.”

He grunted and rubbed the center of his chest again, with his knuckles.

His wolf didn’t like the idea of dating.

“Do you have any other idea?” I prodded.

He considered it. My eyes closed as he ran his hands through my hair.

“Engaged,” he said. “It’s better than dating.”

“Okay. What would it mean for us?”

“I don’t know.”

Lovely.

His hand left my hair, and both of his palms landed on my shoulders. I bit back a groan when his thumbs pressed into the tight muscles there, massaging them slowly.

“We would need to get to know each other,” I said.

“Alright.”

“You’d have to tell me things. Not just things about the books you like to read. Deeper things. Your past. Your feelings.”

“And you would tell me those things, too.”

“Yes.”

He already knew some of mine, though. A lot more than I knew of his.

“We could have sex when we want to. But not in a bar.” The last word was breathy as he found a knot in my upper back and put pressure on it. “Ordering me to strip in a public bathroom isn’t cool.”

“I could’ve handled it better.” I could tell it was difficult for him to get the words out. “In my defense, I hadn’t slept much, and I wasn’t warned.”

“In my defense, my guards checked in with your brothers, and neither of them thought the tattoo thing was a big deal.”

“I like tattoos.”

“I can tell.”

“You could’ve contacted me with the mental link.”

“I didn’t want to, and I know it hurts you. Everyone knows we have to go through your brothers for it.”

“Not you. I like talking to you, and it didn’t cause me pain the first time.”

“How would I know that? You never said anything.”

There was a beat of silence. “I guess I should’ve clarified.”

“You guess?”

“Don’t sass me.” He dragged a hand down my back and squeezed my ass lightly. Playfully. Then returned his hand back to my shoulders, resuming the massage. “I want you in my head. When I was running, I imagined it a few times. You, reaching out to me to tell me how your day was going just because you wanted to talk to me.”

My throat swelled again.

That was sweet.

Really sweet.

“I didn’t think you cared.”

“Of course I cared. I fucking hated being away from you for that long. Fantasized about the way your body feels against mine at night. The way you felt during heat. The way you fed me grilled cheese.”

“Technically, you fed it to yourself.”

“Enough with the technicalities, woman. You’re mine. I’m yours. I fed you. You fed me. We’re equals, even if my protectiveness drives you mad.”

My chest warmed. “It is annoying.”

“I’m aware.”

“But it was hot when you made me strip in that bathroom,” I said, a little reluctantly.

“Damn straight.” There was no complaint in his voice, then. “Are you getting more tattoos?”

“Yeah. Nova’s designing a sleeve for me.”

His chest rumbled. “It’ll be fucking sexy.”

My lips curved upward.

“I want to be the first to see it, outside of you two.”

“Okay.”

His hands slid down from my shoulders. They moved over the curve of my waist, and down to my hips. Then lingered. “I’ve never taken you like this before.”

“In the shower? Standing up?”

“That too.” His hands moved down to my legs, widening my stance a little. “I meant from behind. Like wolves.”

Oh.

Damn.

My wolf purred loudly enough that we both heard it. Enzo’s rumbled in response.

His hand slipped between my thighs. “I’m never going to be much of a gentleman when it comes to sex. Or your body. It’s not my nature. I could try, but—”

“You don’t need to try,” I whispered.

He dragged his thumb over my clit just right, and my head fell backward.

My hands were flat on the tiled wall, holding me up.

“You like it rough?” His lips brushed my ear. His voice was nowhere near smooth.

“You know the answer to that.”

He chuckled against my back as he filled me with two of his fingers, still working my clit.

“You would’ve come on my cock in a matter of seconds in that bathroom, Princess.”

“I know,” I breathed.

“Everyone in that bar would’ve known how thoroughly you belonged to me. I can’t stop thinking about it. It took every ounce of control I had to walk out of there.”

“You were so hard against my ass.”

“I was still hard running through that damn forest. If you’d climbed on my lap, I never would’ve been able to leave that truck.”

“It was a good call not to, then,” I breathed.

“I guess.” Enzo hooked his fingers against my g-spot, grinding my clit hard with the side of his thumb. “No one else will ever touch you again.”

“No one will touch you again, either.”

“Only you, Princess.” He slid his fingers out of my channel and hooked one of my legs around the back of his thigh. He lifted his hand to my lips, and slid his fingers into my mouth. “Taste how much your body needs me.”

I licked the saltiness of my pleasure off his skin with a soft moan.

“You’re going to take me now. No knots, this time.”

I made a noise of agreement, and he lined the head of his cock up with my entrance.

With one slow, confident motion, he filled me.

I gasped around his fingers, and he pulled them out, dragging them down to my breast and teasing my nipple.

He drove into me slowly, but not carefully.

Deep, but unhurried.

He felt just as good as he had during heat—so I guess it wasn’t just the pheromones.

It was him.

I didn’t need his knot to drive me wild. Not when he felt the way he did.

He didn’t stop when I shattered on his cock.

He kept fucking me.

Teasing my clit.

He sucked and nipped at the base of my throat, too. “You’ll wear my mark here permanently, as soon as the full moon rises.”

“Yeah.” My chest rose and fell rapidly.

He was so insanely big.

And so insanely good at making me lose control.

He pinched my clit, and I swore.

He gave me a dark, rumbly laugh, and did it again.

My hips jerked.

My need swelled.

He kept going until finally, we both shattered.

My scream tore through the air, my body rocking as he slammed into me, growling his own release as he bit down on my shoulder.

His fangs pierced my skin, but it barely hurt.

And it made me come so much harder.

I was panting when he pulled out and released my hips.

Momentary confusion was quickly replaced when he kneeled between my thighs, pulling my ass toward him and burying his face there.

His mind brushed mine, the feeling much more intimate than I expected. “We taste so fucking good together.”

Ohh.

“I’m so wiped out, I don’t know if I can come again,” I panted, palms still pinned to the wall.

“That’s fine, Princess. No pressure. I just need you on my mouth.”

My knees shook.

He took more of my weight.

“I need to talk to Nova,” I breathed.

“After I’m done with you.”

“And Sydney.”

“They’ll wait.”

“And—”

“If another man’s name leaves your mouth while I’m eating you out, I’m going to put you on your hands and knees in this shower and fuck you until you can’t remember him.” The threat was dark, and matter-of-fact.

Oh.

Wow.

Yes, please.

“Silas,” I said.

He snarled against me, swept me off my feet, and lowered me carefully to my hands and knees.

And fucked me.

Until I really couldn’t remember who I needed to talk to.

twenty-two

ASPEN

MY FACE WAS STILL FLUSHED from all the sex when we finally made it out of our room. Enzo held my hand, and he’d laced his fingers between mine.

I was uncertain about the hand holding, but it did feel nice.

So, I went along with it.

People looked at me differently when we passed them. There was less friendliness. More uncertainty.

I tried not to let it get to me, but failed.

We reached a room down the hall that I’d never been inside before, and when we stepped in, I found a casual conference room with ten chairs in it. I looked around the room, and found our people already inside and waiting.

Sydney and Nova sat next to each other. Silas was at Nova’s side, and she was talking to him. Clay was on the other side of Sydney, chatting easily. Hunter was across the table from Nova, staring down at his phone with a forced neutral expression on his face. His scarred eyebrow was twitching. I was pretty sure he was fighting not to look at Nova, considering what I knew about their connection.

Fletcher sat across from her, studying me like he was looking for injuries.

Everyone turned toward us when we walked in, except Hunter. I assumed that if he lifted his head, his eyes were going to go straight to Nova, and he didn’t want them to.

I couldn’t help but look at Silas.

He was totally healed. Completely fine.

But my stomach clenched anyway.

Enzo led me across the room and sat down in a chair. He tried to pull me onto his lap, but I took my own seat. There were two empty chairs, but that didn’t matter. At least the room fit us.

“What happened?” I asked Silas.

It didn’t take a genius to know that he wouldn’t have been there if he had another option. Him and Fletcher avoided each other like their lives depended on it. Considering how much their wolves hated each other, their lives did kind of depend on it.

“Some people in the city remembered our connection and came after me last night. My pack is large, and took my side, but I wasn’t going to risk their lives in a fight against a mob. Enzo owes me one, so I figured he could offer me sanctuary until you get everything sorted.” He nodded at Enzo.

My Alpha’s neck was tight.

He didn’t like that idea even a little.

But he jerked his head in a nod anyway. Before he rolled my chair closer to his. The arms knocked against each other as he set his hand on my thigh, but he didn’t seem to care.

“Let’s get this over with before someone dies,” Fletcher said, fighting to keep his voice neutral.

Enzo growled, “I wasn’t going to kill anyone.”

“He’s not talking about you. His wolf and Silas’s attack each other almost every time they’re together,” I murmured into his mind, waiting for him to flinch in pain.

He didn’t.

Maybe it really didn’t hurt him when we spoke mentally.

“Enzo’s going to play nice,” I said aloud. “Sydney, I’m sorry about changing you without your permission. You looked young, and I couldn’t let you die when there was something I could do about it.”

She met my gaze with a small smile. “I’m glad you did. Thank you.”

I nodded.

At least she didn’t hate me.

That was good.

“We’re obviously here to talk about turning more humans,” Clay said. “Not sure why Silas needed to be in this meeting, but I guess that’s fine.”

“I invited him,” Nova said.

Hunter clenched his jaw to muffle his wolf’s growl.

“Lovely. Anyway, we’ve got a plan,” Clay said.

“Who’s we?” Silas asked.

“The Savage brothers and Fletcher. He’s basically one of them now. Keep up,” Nova muttered, elbowing him in the ribs.

The friendly interaction made something in my chest hurt.

How many times did we have similar interactions as kids?

And how long had it been since things had been like that for us?

“Right. We have a plan.” Clay gestured to Enzo, himself, and Hunter. Then, to me and Fletcher.

I lifted an eyebrow at him.

He shrugged. “You’re part of the family now, too.”

We could never go back to the way things had been before my first heat screwed up everything, but maybe things could be okay again.

If not now, then eventually.

Clay cleared his throat. “Well, here are the basics. We’re closing our borders for now. No new groupies. No new humans at all. Our people can still go in and out, but no one without a Crimson River ID can rent property, get a job, or anything else. They won’t be participating in the mess. Any woman with an ID who wants to be changed will fill out an application. Mates will get first priority, of course.”

He continued, “Before we get to the applications, we give priority to a few women who are part of a trustworthy mated pair that is willing to offer their services to help transform more women for at least a year. There will be contracts involved. Whether or not we can enforce them will be legally debatable, but we’re hoping the fine for breaking it will convince people to take it seriously. We’re going to need a lot of women who are willing to transform others.”

Nods went around the room.

“What does this have to do with us?” Nova checked, gesturing between herself and Sydney.

“I’m getting there.” Clay gave her a deadpanned stare.

She lifted her hands.

“The sooner we can get a few women mated and willing to do this for us, the sooner we can settle the city and clear out the threat in the forest. As long as that exists, we can’t hunt rogue wolves. If someone goes rabid, people are going to die. Potentially a lot of them.”

Sydney paled a little.

Nova glared at Clay and put a hand on Sydney’s shoulder.

“It’s okay,” Sydney said quietly. “You want me to try to turn someone?”

Clay nodded. “If you’re willing. We only have five days until the eclipse, so it would be best to do it now. So we can get those couples fully mated, beneath the next full moon. If you do, it will likely take longer to recover, because you don’t have a mate. Or an almost mate.”

That comment was geared toward me and Enzo.

She let out a breath. “Does it have to be someone you’re romantic with? Could another man help?”

“No one else tried to touch Aspen,” Clay said. “So I guess we don’t know. I would be willing to hold your hand or something to try it out, if you wanted.”

“I’m definitely willing to try,” Sydney agreed. “If just so we can get your people back into the forest to prevent the rabid problem from getting worse. The doctor gave me a clean bill of health. The transformation healed me completely, and fast. I should be okay to do it whenever you’re ready.”

“Thank you,” Enzo said.

A few people looked surprised.

I wasn’t one of them. I barely caught myself in time, but I did catch myself.

Nova chewed her lip. “I’m supposed to go into heat next week. I’d need a ride up to my apartment in Greenview pretty soon afterward. Or some really strong drugs.”

Hunter snarled.

Everyone looked pointedly away, except Nova and Silas. They both glared at him.

“I’ll take care of it,” Hunter bit out.

“I am not spending heat with you. I know how that story goes.” She gestured between me and Enzo. “I’d rather suffer it out alone. Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Ouch.

Enzo squeezed my thigh. I put my hand on top of his. Considering our conversation earlier, I figured he was probably feeling bad. Or worried. Or something similar.

“Then I’ll get you safely to a place where you can suffer without a risk of getting attacked,” Hunter gritted out.

“Fine.” She scowled at him again, but there was less heat behind it. “I guess I’m in.”

“You don’t have to do it,” I said. “No one will be upset if you choose not to. It’s hard on your body.”

“If I’ve got to struggle a bit to buy my safety, I’ll struggle,” she said firmly.

“We have a handful of old pack members who only left because they took mates,” Clay said. “They’re as trustworthy as they come. We’ll get in contact with them and line up the first three women from that group. To make sure everyone’s recovered, we should probably go through with it tonight.”

Enzo tensed, but didn’t argue.

Everyone else murmured agreements.

“Say your goodbyes to your best artist, just in case,” Nova told Silas, smacking him on the chest.

Hunter snarled again.

Everyone ignored him.

Silas decided he shouldn’t say anything, which seemed for the best.

“I’m going to talk to the ladies,” I said, squeezing his hand before I pulled it off my thigh and stood up.

He jerked his head in a small nod, and reluctantly stood. “I need to talk to my brothers in the hallway.” Enzo’s gaze went to Hunter, and the Gamma stood stiffly.

“You’re coming too, Silas-boy,” Clay said, clapping him on the shoulder. “You good to stay, Fletcher?”

Fletch grunted. “I’ve got it.”

The Savage brothers and Silas stepped out of the room.

“How bad is it out there?” I asked Nova and Sydney.

Nova tipped her head toward the door. “I don’t know. Jackass out there won’t let me outside. He programmed all the doors in the Lodge to lock as soon as I get near them.”

I lifted my eyebrows.

“It’s bad,” Fletcher said. “The forest is packed with wolves on every side. If you did go out there, we would never see you again. Any of you.”

All of us grimaced at that.

“Hopefully the announcement of our plan will help,” Sydney said. “Or the Savages’ plan, I guess.”

“You’re participating in the plan,” Fletcher pointed out. “So it’s yours too.”

“That makes us tools,” Nova corrected. “You can’t create a tattoo without ink, but without an artist, the ink can’t tattoo on its own. We’re ink.”

“Irreplaceable ink with the power to resist being used and the choice to walk away at any time,” I said.

“Fancy ink is still just ink, Aspen.” Nova sounded tired.

I didn’t blame her for it. I knew what it felt like to have recently been stolen from your home, though Enzo had never truly trapped me inside the Lodge.

“What does it feel like to have a wolf?” Fletcher asked Sydney, changing the subject to keep the peace.

Her lips curved slightly. “Loud. It’s like I have a whole new person inside me. A hairy, curious one. She wants to run everywhere.”

I smiled. “After the forest is cleared, we’ll all go out.”

“It’s a plan,” she agreed.

We all chatted while we waited. Nova was reluctant, but she did join in.

We learned that Sydney had been trapped in the forest for nearly a year after her dad lost his mind. She had been about to start her first semester of college before he went rogue and his wolf herded her out to a pack in the woods. They’d moved around constantly, and slept out in nature. The wolves shared the meat they hunted with her, but it wasn’t enough, so she’d learned how to grow vegetables and tend existing berry bushes. During the winter, the pack had kept her warmish in a cave.

Throughout her story, Nova and I exchanged looks a few times that said something along the lines of, we need to take care of this girl.

That’s what mine meant, at least.

Nova and I were friends, but I didn’t know her well enough to be sure what our shared looks meant.

Enzo came back in a few minutes later, without any of the other guys.

“There’s no blood on his hands this time, right?” Nova joked, though she really did eye his hands.

“Not this time.” He lifted them, showing her that they were clean. “Clay’s finding Silas a room. He invited the bastard to come back for cake, but he didn’t look convinced.”

Birthday cake?

I looked at Fletcher.

He grunted.

If it was for our birthday, Silas definitely wouldn’t come.

“I’m not understanding the dynamic between you two,” Nova said, gesturing to Fletcher. “Silas gets along with everyone.”

Without another word, Fletcher stood up and left the room.

“We’re meeting up for card games and cake. Some of the enforcers planned it,” Enzo said, though he was grimacing.

“Let me talk to Fletch and make sure he’s feeling up for it.” I flashed him a small smile. “We don’t usually do much for our birthday. We just make cakes for each other and trade small presents.”

Enzo nodded.

I looked at Nova and Sydney. Both of them seemed curious. “It’s a sad family thing. I’ll tell you about it some other time. Why don’t you meet me for cake and cards with the enforcers?”

The women agreed.

Enzo recaptured my hand, and we headed out together.

We followed Fletcher’s scent for a few minutes, and found him already trapped in a group of guys we both knew. They greeted me with their normal grins welcoming Enzo too, as if playing cards with him was a normal occurrence.

He lowered his lips to my ear when everyone else sat down for a game of poker, and murmured, “My brothers need me for the plan. Let me know when you’re done. I’ll send Nova and Sydney your way.”

I nodded.

He brushed a kiss to my cheek, then my shoulder, before he strode away.

I wasn’t sure what he needed to do for the plan, but I didn’t ask. We weren’t quite there yet.

The volume increased tremendously when he was gone. The girls showed up quickly, and were welcomed as if they were part of the pack just like I had been. No one tried to hit on them or anything, which was nice.

We played for half an hour or so before Fletcher slipped away. I think everyone could tell something was up with him, but no one commented on it.

I thanked all of them as I followed Fletcher to the doors leading out of the Lodge. He stopped when they didn’t slide open automatically, and tried to push one.

It didn’t budge.

“Fucking Hunter,” Fletcher grunted.

“I’m sure he’s locking me in, not you.” I put a hand on his arm. “Do you want to talk?”

“No,” he growled, pulling away from me. “I can’t be in this pack while he’s here. He looks too much like Simon. I can’t fucking do it.” His voice cracked.

I ignored his wishes and threw my arms around him, hugging tightly. He remained stiff for a moment, but finally returned the hug.

“You reek of Enzo.”

I smiled, though it was sad. “He smells good to me.”

“Of course he does.”

I smacked the side of Fletcher’s head lightly, and he hugged me tighter.

“I miss him,” I said quietly. “Do you?”

“Every fucking day.”

My eyes flooded with tears.

Fletch and Simon had been much closer than Simon and I had. “When this all blows over, he’ll go back to his pack. They still like him.”

“Unless he decides to stay for Nova. I’d have to take his pack over, and run the fucking post office. I can’t—”

“That’s not going to happen,” I said firmly. “It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. Silas isn’t going to stay. Simon wouldn’t blame you if he was still alive, so stop blaming yourself. If he was the one related to me, you would be the one who died.”

“But he wasn’t, and I’m still here.” Fletcher’s voice was low.

Bitter.

Sad.

He needed something to focus on other than me. The Creek Pack had been good for him. If Enzo wasn’t going hunting again soon, Fletch would need another job. Something to keep him busy.

“I’m making you a cake. We’re going through with our usual birthday thing,” I announced, releasing him. “Your present isn’t here yet, but I’ll figure something out.”

“Don’t pretend you ordered me something. You always shop last-minute.”

“For once in my life, I’m prepared,” I protested.

He snorted.

He didn’t need to sniff out lies to know that was bullshit.

“I’m sure your king is already making you a cake. We don’t need to swap,” he said.

“If Enzo is making a cake, it’s for you, because we’re trading just like we always do. Deal with it.”

He scowled, but it was half-hearted. He loved cake too much. And given how good of a cook Enzo was, Fletch would love the Alpha’s cake even more.

But I still didn’t think Enzo was making one.

“I’ll walk you back to our room while I try to come up with a way to get ingredients for your chocolate behemoth,” he said, slipping his hands in his pockets.

“Better a chocolate behemoth than the dainty little fruit puff you like.”

He chuckled.

It was good to see a tiny bit of humor weaving its way in, even if I knew it would fade quickly.

Maybe I’d ask Jake to bug him in a little while. Jake wouldn’t ask questions. Not too many, at least.

I gave Fletcher one last hug before he left me in my room. Something told me he’d wait in the hall until he knew I was safe. And that he would text Enzo.

I reached out mentally to my Alpha anyway, to make sure Fletch wouldn’t have to wait long. “Hey, I’m back in our room. I think Fletcher is waiting outside.”

“On my way.”

“I can meet you wherever you are, if you want.”

“My brothers and I were just talking about possibilities. I’m headed to you now.”

The door opened. Enzo said something to Fletcher, and it closed again. He stepped up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Clay wants to do a birthday thing for you and Fletcher in a few hours. He says it’s because you’re a part of the family now, but he just loves cake.”

“Who doesn’t?”

Enzo’s lips curved upward, and he kissed me. Lightly. Gently. It was the first time he had really, truly kissed me for a reason that wasn’t just sexual.

It ended too soon, though.

“I need to make you a cake,” Enzo said, kissing my nose.

I wrinkled it. “You don’t need to do anything for me.”

“I want to make you a cake, and I’m going to,” he corrected.

“I have to make Fletcher’s cake, actually. He always makes mine. We do a cake swap.”

His forehead creased. “Why not just agree on one you’ll both like?”

It seemed safe to assume he did that with his brothers. Or maybe they usually bought cake.

Actually, scratch that. Enzo rarely ate things other people made. Something told me cake wasn’t an exception.

I shrugged. “It’s a thing we do. He likes fluffy, strawberry cake. I like rich, chocolate cake. We make them for each other, then trade and eat them together.”

“That’s… sweet,” he finally said.

“It’s cake, so yes. It’s always sweet.”

He snorted, and I couldn’t bite back a grin. Making the angry Alpha laugh, or anything close to that, always felt like a victory.

twenty-three

ASPEN

ENZO SAT me on the countertop and refused to let me help as we started the cake. When I told him I needed a job, he assigned me to turn the stand mixer on and off for him.

Like I was four years old.

I rolled my eyes, but I knew taking care of me made him feel good, so I just turned the mixer on and off at his directions.

His hand rested on my thigh while we creamed the butter and sugar, and I studied him.

He lifted his gaze to mine for a beat, and I held it.

“What do you guys do for your birthday?” I asked.

“Not much. Clay asks what kind of cake we want a few days before. We all agree on either red velvet or Funfetti, depending on the year. I always make it, either on the day of or shortly after, depending on if I’m hunting a rogue or not. We eat it together when it’s done. If Clay’s feeling festive, he forces us to play card games or board games. Monopoly isn’t allowed.”

My smile grew, slightly. “Monopoly always causes fights.”

“Every time.”

“You never buy cake?”

“Nah. All of us try to avoid buying food.”

“Why?” There was curiosity in my voice. “Is it a health thing? I know you don’t like to eat there, but the food in the dining hall is pretty good.”

“No.”

I blinked.

He clarified, “It’s not a health thing. Or a high-maintenance thing.” He lowered his gaze to the stand mixer and watched intently.

Right.

So there was a reason for it. He just didn’t want to tell me.

That was fine. Really, he didn’t have to. It was obviously his business.

I wasn’t going to push him for more information. If he wanted to share, he would.

His grip tightened on my thigh.

A few minutes passed as he added ingredients without asking me to turn off the mixer.

I didn’t say anything.

If he wanted us to have a relationship, he was going to have to trust me with things. He’d already basically forced me to trust him.

He turned the mixer off when the batter was done, and stared at it for a long moment.

“That was supposed to be my job,” I said, giving him an out. We could keep our relationship surface-level. That was perfectly doable. It wasn’t what he said he wanted, and it wasn’t what I really wanted either, but we could do it.

“Our dad wasn’t only cruel to our mother,” he finally said. “When we started getting bigger than him as preteens, he knew he wouldn’t be able to control us much longer. We outnumbered him, and I had more dominance than him. He wanted to keep us weak, so he drugged us. Poisoned us. Through the pack’s food. The cooks and servers did it for him, and they didn’t tell us.”

“We were unfocused for years. Sucked ass in school. Could barely think straight. When a tutor finally asked for a list of what we were eating, wondering if there was some kind of severe allergy, I got the menu from the head cook. He could barely meet my eyes. Something was obviously up,” he continued.

My chest squeezed.

No wonder he hadn’t wanted to talk about it.

“I wasn’t tactful. Could barely think straight because of the drugs. I hit him with all the dominance I had. He pissed himself, but told me about the poison. Showed me where it was. What it was.”

I put my hand on his, on my thigh.

“I killed him and everyone else who had been involved that day. I could understand my dad poisoning me. I wouldn’t have even been surprised. But they were the closest thing we had to family, and my brothers weren’t Alphas. They couldn’t have challenged him. He hurt them anyway. I tracked him down after I was done with the servers. Challenged him. Killed him. Took over the pack that day.”

“Fuck,” I whispered.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “It was weeks before we had fully recovered, even with our werewolf healing. We felt like new people. I regretted killing the cooks and servers. Still do. I’ve tried to be better, now.”

“They pretended to be your family while poisoning you, Enzo,” I said quietly. “Maybe they’d been forced, and it wasn’t entirely right, but you were a kid who had been betrayed horribly. And you weren’t in your right mind, either. You did what seemed like the right thing at the time.”

“I got angry.”

“You had a right to be angry. They poisoned you.”

He let out a harsh breath. “The three of us started cooking every meal after that. Shared an apartment. Did our own thing while we tried to heal and figure out how to lead a pack. It was messy, but we eventually settled in.”

“You still prefer to cook your own food, though. All of you?”

He nodded. “We know that not everyone is out to get us at this point. It’s been a long time. We’re not necessarily afraid of eating out, or with the pack. But it will never feel entirely comfortable.”

I swallowed a lump of emotion in my throat. “I get it. I’ll make you grilled cheese any time you want. And cereal. And quesadillas. To be honest, I’m a terrible cook. Maybe you can try to teach me or something. My mom showed me a little before heat hit, but afterward… well, she was mourning. Just trying to survive. We all were.”

“What happened right afterward?”

“It’s all kind of a blur. Fletcher needed to leave for his sanity. Our parents needed him to leave for theirs, too. His wolf and Silas’s nearly killed each other a few times. Our dad took him to the Creek Pack, where our birth dad and adopted dad both used to live. They took Fletcher in, under the impression he was our adopted dad’s by blood.”

I continued, “Dad claimed we were a year younger than we were, and no one batted an eye. Fletcher found a place there, and worked through things. We didn’t talk much, for a few months. It was hard to be alone, but I was so terrified of heat that I barely left my room. We had been homeschooled before everything happened, so our lessons stopped. Silas couldn’t stand to be in the same room with me. The only time we managed it was heat.”

“You lost your family.”

I nodded.

“You and I are the same, in that way,” he said.

Maybe we were.

Enzo slipped an arm around my back and pulled me to the edge of the countertop, wrapping his arms around me for a hug. Mine went around him too, and I hugged him back.

Tightly.

He’d shared something with me that I doubted he had ever told anyone else before. That was big, especially for a man as independent as he was.

“Thank you for talking to me,” I whispered.

“Thank you for listening. And talking to me too.”

I nodded.

He kissed the top of my head. “We’ve got a cake to bake and some frosting to whip up, Princess.”

“Are you ever going to stop calling me that?”

“Probably not.”

I sighed, and he chuckled.

Things felt different when we got back to making the cake, and I resumed the world’s easiest job.

Everything felt safer.

More… intimate.

When his hand brushed my arm as he teased me, his touch lingered.

When I sassed him, our eyes caught, and our gazes held just a little too long.

When he dipped a finger in the frosting and lifted it to my lips, I sucked.

When he kissed me afterward, his hands cradling my face while the taste of sugar was on both of our tongues, I let myself wonder what it would feel like to love Enzo, and to be loved by him.

The more I thought about it, the better it sounded.

WHEN OUR CAKE was done and frosted, Enzo made me wait in the kitchen while he stepped into the other room. I picked up my phone to look at the time.

5:02 PM.

We were meeting for cake in the Savage brothers’ shared living room (AKA the lounge) precisely two minutes ago. Because the brothers’ wolves were all territorial, they’d built their own hangout space. It had a kitchen, a table, a big couch, and a TV. I’d never seen it, but Enzo had described it to me while we were getting the cake ready.

He strode back into the room with a tiny gift bag in his hand.

I lifted my eyebrows. “You got me a present?”

“Of course I did.”

My gaze grew skeptical.

“I planned it last week, Princess. I was never going to miss your birthday.”

“Even when you were being a jerk?”

“Even then.” He put the bag on my lap.

There was no tissue paper, and it was taped shut.

“Do you want me to wait? I didn’t even get Fletcher a present,” I admitted. “I always get them the day of. I’m the worst.”

“I got one for him too. We can claim it’s from both of us.”

My eyes widened. “You got my brother a present? Who are you, and what happened to the bastard who choked a bunch of guys for seeing my tits?”

“I would still choke any men who saw your tits. Open it.”

He set his hands on my knees.

He wasn’t great at resisting his urge—or need—to touch me. And I was starting to realize I didn’t mind that at all.

I carefully pulled the tape off, and opened the bag.

My breath caught when I found a small, black box. It was bigger than a ring box, so I knew it wasn’t that, but it was obviously something important.

“Enzo,” I warned.

He pulled the jewelry box out when I didn’t make a move to grab it.

I watched closely as he opened it, revealing an inch-wide silver crown made entirely of diamonds. It was on a chain that wasn’t quite dainty, but wasn’t chunky either. The crown didn’t hang down, but instead followed the natural curve of the necklace.

“A ring would get beat up when you shift,” he explained. Jewelry stayed with us in both forms, if it was big enough not to break off or injure us during the shift. “With this, you’re marked as my mate in the human way. Or as close to it as we can get without a ring. It’s protection as much as it’s decoration.”

I couldn’t lie to him. “It’s beautiful.”

“Will you wear it?” His gaze met mine. It was a question. Not a command. He was sincere, and if I said no, he would respect it.

I nodded. “But I’m going to be annoyingly careful with it.”

His lips curved. “I had it made with moissanite so it’s cheap to replace if it breaks off when you shift. I have a diamond one in the nightstand, but I thought you’d rather look at that one than wear it.”

I laughed. “You thought right.”

He carefully pulled it from the box, and I gathered my hair so he could fasten it around my neck.

“Are we going to ignore the fact that it looks like a crown?” I asked, my voice soft but playful.

“No. You’re going to be the Wolf Queen in a few days. It was this or a tiara on the back of your neck permanently.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t just book the tattoo.”

“I hadn’t seen your new ink yet, or I probably would’ve.” His fingers brushed the back of my neck lightly before he pulled my hair from my hand, letting it fall loosely over my back.

“I think you just wanted a diamond on me. Or something that looks like one.” The necklace was too short to see the crown when I lifted it away from my collarbone, but I dragged my thumb lightly over the shape anyway.

“Of course I did. Most of the women in the city are human, and that’s how humans claim each other. My obsession with marking you has been clear from the beginning.”

“True.”

There was no way to forget the scars on my throat. They were light enough to make it clear that he hadn’t been trying to hurt me, but they still stood out and caught attention everywhere I went.

Enzo leaned in and kissed me.

Lightly.

I wrapped my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss, but he pulled away too soon.

“The cakes and your brother are waiting.”

“Do you think Hunter and Clay ate the whole cake without us?”

“Nah, Fletcher’s enough of a threat that they’d think twice. Considering you belong to me, I’m sure it’s waiting on the table just the way he left it.

He adjusted the crown at the base of my throat, then lifted me off the countertop and took my hand.

“Tonight is going to be difficult,” he said, his voice lowering as he led me down the hall. “After the party, when you change one of the humans. I hate seeing you like that.”

“I know. But everything will be easier afterward, when there are more women to help me change people.”

I hoped it would, at least.

FLETCHER, Clay, and Hunter were all sprawled out on a monster-sized sectional when we got to the room. Somehow, it was even bigger than the world’s biggest couch back at Enzo’s cabin.

None of the guys looked annoyed that we were late. I could smell pot roast coming from the massive kitchen I could see from the couch, and there were empty bowls next to our brothers. They’d eaten without us, but we would’ve done the same if they were the late ones.

A football game played on the TV, and the guys were arguing about something that had just happened when we walked in. The conversation ended abruptly when Clay’s gaze narrowed in on the massive platter of fancy meat, cheese, and crackers that Enzo was carrying. There was significantly more meat than anything else, both in variety and amount.

“He does this for our birthday too. There’s no escaping now. Might as well take our last name,” Clay called to Fletcher over his shoulder, already on his way to the gigantic platter. Enzo had put it together while I was recovering in bed.

Enzo set it down, and all the guys met us at the table. The gigantic chocolate cake Fletcher always made for me was already sitting there, calling my name.

After Enzo forced Fletcher and I both to blow out a handful of candles, despite our eye rolling and grumbles of disagreement, we all had overflowing plates of food and cake. There was such a mountain of charcuterie, Fletcher might actually have some left over to bring home.

The Savage brothers all went over to the couch to give us a little space at the table, and Fletcher handed me a gift bag.

“I’ll get you a present as soon as I’m allowed to leave the Lodge,” I told him apologetically.

I already knew it held a stack of fancy, incredible chocolate bars that cost way more than the few bucks I was willing to spend on my favorite treat. He got me the same thing for both our birthday and Christmas every year. I ate all of the birthday ones in the months before Christmas every time, and rationed the rest through the New Year in an effort to make them last until September.

They never did, but I tried.

“Just make more of this,” Fletcher said, gesturing to Enzo’s charcuterie board. I never would’ve expected that from the violent, deadly wolf king, but I guess even violent wolf kings enjoyed a good tray of meat, cheese, and crackers. “This can be your version of chocolate.”

That was an easy deal, and honestly a relief. I was shitty at trying to pick presents out for him. I usually just ended up buying a band t-shirt.

Something happened in the football game, and arguing broke out on the couch. I bit back a grin at the guys’ ridiculousness.

Fletcher’s gaze lowered to the glittering stones at the base of my throat. “A crown, huh, Princess?” He drawled the nickname, obviously teasing me.

“Yeah. It’s over the top, I know.”

“Actually, I think it’s pretty reasonable. The more ways he can mark you as his mate, the safer you’ll be. The pack respects him, and everyone else is terrified of him.”

“They have a good reason to be. I don’t even want to think about what he would do to someone who tried to hurt me.”

“Good point.”

“How are you doing?” I asked, studying him.

“Dreading watching you risk your life again.”

If he was admitting that much, he was feeling a lot more than dread. Now that he had lost his pack, I was all he had. With the distance we’d both put between ourselves and our parents, we were on our own.

“Have you talked to Lucas again since the pack booted you?” I asked. I felt Enzo’s eyes on me again. He’d probably heard Lucas’s name and assumed the worst.

I was only asking because Lucas had been one of Fletcher’s closest friends. I felt horrible for costing my brother that.

Fletcher’s gaze lingered on the wall over my shoulder, avoiding mine. “No. I didn’t know him as well as I thought.”

“If that’s because of me…”

“He sided with Alfred in the first challenge. Right off the bat. I’m pissed that I didn’t realize he was flirting with you, but our friendship ended when he decided he wanted me out of the pack for protecting my sister.”

Right.

That was obviously a sore subject.

I nodded, and Fletcher stood. “I’m going to watch the game.”

I was silent as he walked away.

“He fits into our pack,” Enzo said in my mind. “He belongs here as much as you do. My brothers have basically adopted him in.”

“He’s not a stray puppy, Enzo.”

“Do we seem like a loving family looking for a puppy to train?”

That was actually a fair point.

If they adopted Fletcher, it would be because he was as much of a controlling asshole as they were. And he was. He would absolutely threaten Enzo the way Clay had threatened me if our roles had been reversed that first day in the Lodge.

“Come sit with me,” Enzo said, and his simple request surprised me.

I dished up the last slice of the chocolate cake and padded across the room, folding myself onto the gigantic cushion beside him. His arm went over my shoulders, and I leaned in close.

I didn’t care about football, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy sitting with my brother and… fiancé… and eating cake while they argued about the game.

THE LIGHTHEARTEDNESS of our little party was gone when we joined everyone back in the conference room. I wasn’t nervous, but I wasn’t looking forward to what was coming, either.

The three human women who had agreed to help change more people were all gathered, along with their mates, but the moment we entered the room, my attention went immediately to one couple.

I stopped abruptly, and my adoptive mother gave me a small but genuine smile.

I crossed the room quickly, pulling her in for a tight hug, and she held me close.

“Your king sent a gift basket and called me,” she murmured. “Said he would’ve come by personally if not for the threat to your life, and invited me to be a part of this. He may be a menace to society, but he clearly cares about you.”

“He does,” I agreed, fighting the overwhelm of my emotions as well as a small amount of humor.

Menace to society was absolutely the vibe Enzo aimed for.

When I got myself together, I pulled away and let Enzo take my hand, leading me to an empty chair nearby.

“You and your damn gift baskets,” I said into his mind, my voice full of gratitude as I took my seat. “Thank you.”

“It was Fletcher’s idea. I just made it happen.”

I looked at Fletcher and saw the same emotions I was feeling reflected back in his eyes. I couldn’t read his mind, but I knew he was thinking something along the lines of what I was.

We couldn’t save Simon, but we could save our parents.

We could prevent our mother from aging further, or leaving our father alone to go rogue. We could give them a chance to be together permanently.

“Thank you all for being here,” Enzo said, his voice calm and authoritative. “You all know why we’re here and what’s going to happen next. The female werewolves will be deciding when everything happens, so I’ll leave it to them.”

With that, he turned my chair away from the rest of the group to give us privacy.

As my chair spun, I met the other girls’ eyes and mouthed good luck before I couldn’t see them anymore.

Enzo lifted me up long enough to sit beneath me, one of his arms wrapping securely around my waist. I had a feeling the other would go around my chest before I passed out, to keep me from falling.

My mother gave me her arm, and my wolf surged to the surface.

She gave me a warning growl, as if letting me know that she would be taking over so she could shift as soon as we recovered, and I nodded.

It was past time.

My teeth lengthened into fangs, and I bit down on my mom’s arm. The magic took hold immediately, just like it had the last time. There was a sudden drain on my energy. I slouched a little.

The world started to spin as exhaustion slowly set in. It didn’t seem to be as violent as it had been the last time. Maybe having Enzo’s arm around me helped.

Or maybe it was just the fact that I’d done it before, recently, and my body and mind knew what was coming.

I still didn’t make it very long before I passed out.

twenty-four

ASPEN

I WOKE UP WITH A GROAN, my head pounding.

By the scent and feel of the blankets, I knew I was in our bed.

His chest was pressed against my back, his skin bare. Mine was too.

“You took my shirt off?” I mumbled.

“Your bra too. Your heart rate was better when we had more skin touching.”

“Should’ve taken my leggings off too then.”

He chuckled. “I did, Princess.”

I moved my legs a little, and realized all I had on was a pair of my spandex shorts. “Oh. Thanks.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Okay. Tired. Is my mom…”

“A wolf? Yep. She and your dad are happy, according to your brother.”

Relief rolled through me. “How long have I been out?”

“About a day. The timeline seems like an exact replica of last time, even with my body against yours.”

Damn.

“How are Nova and Sydney?”

“Sydney’s fine. The woman she bit didn’t shift, though. She doesn’t seem to have the ability to change them.”

I blinked.

“Our new theory is that turned female wolves can’t turn anyone else,” he said. “Your mother and the other new woman both already tried and failed, too.”

“Nova?”

“She was still unconscious last I heard. The process seemed harder on her wolf than it is on yours. Things were dicey for a while. The pack doctor has her in our medical room and is watching her closely.”

Oh, shit.

My wolf stretched.

She didn’t seem surprised by that. I had to wonder what she knew that I didn’t.

“She’s okay now?”

“She is. She’s stable. And the woman she bit turned.”

“Did Hunter…”

“He’s been with her the whole time. His touch doesn’t seem to do anything for her, though.”

“Her wolf doesn’t know him.”

“No. And they haven’t been sharing a room like we have, so she isn’t accustomed to his scent. She seems more against forming a mate bond than you were, and he doesn’t want it either.”

“Did Silas touch her?”

“He did. She didn’t respond to him either. Which is probably a good thing for him.”

Hunter would probably have lost his shit.

Still, I would’ve preferred that over letting Nova suffer longer than she absolutely had to.

“When is she going to wake up?” I asked.

“The doctor thinks it’ll be another two or three days. He’s set her up with everything she needs to stay healthy while she’s unconscious.”

“She’s supposed to go into heat.”

“Hunter already discussed that with him. He’s given her a medication that he thinks will suppress it, but they’re going to monitor her temperature closely. If it starts to go up, they’ll get her out of the city.”

Wow.

That was… a lot.

“If turned wolves can’t turn more of them, and changing women puts Nova’s life at risk, I’m the only one who can do it.”

Fletcher’s five-hundred-years warning suddenly seemed bigger. And scarier.

“We’re going to figure that out when we need to, Princess.” Enzo’s voice was firm. A little comforting, too. “For now, we focus on your recovery.”

“Did the wolves leave the forest?”

“No.”

I closed my eyes.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you. The doctor thinks the mate bond may change how the transformations affect you. You might be able to rely on my energy, too. We could change all the mated humans, and stop there.”

“So we could change a human every other day?” I whispered. “There are ten thousand mated humans, Enzo. And so many others who will take mates if that’s what it takes to get themselves turned.”

“We’re going to figure it out.”

“Are we?”

“Yes.” He ran his hand slowly down the length of my hair. “Trust me, Princess.”

Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I did.

If Enzo said he would protect me, he would do it. No matter what it took.

“Do you think you could get some food down?”

The idea made me queasy. “No.”

“Alright. The next time you’re up, I’m going to make you eat double.”

“Mmkay.”

He pulled me closer, and I fell back asleep against his chest.

Everything was going to work out. I had to believe that Enzo could make that true somehow.

THE NEXT TIME I woke up, I was feeling a lot stronger. He carried me to the kitchen, and I sat on the counter while he cooked for me. When I asked for a shirt, he helped me into one of his long-sleeved ones. It was old, soft, and had his scent basically woven into the fabric.

His hands and arms brushed my skin frequently as he cooked. It felt nice. Really nice.

After we ate, I curled up in his arms in the chair he occupied. He hadn’t offered me my own seat, and I didn’t ask for one. I didn’t feel steady, and he seemed to want me on his lap anyway.

“Everyone wants to see you,” he said, “But we can’t let them.”

“Who’s everyone?”

“Fletcher. Your parents. My brothers. The pack.”

“The pack?”

“Everyone knows Nova is still unconscious and healing, so most of them just want to see whether or not you’re in good enough shape to turn someone else,” he grumbled. “And to mate with me.”

“How many days until the full moon?”

“It’s the day after tomorrow.”

“There might be time to—”

“No.” He knew what I was going to say, and didn’t even consider it. “We’re not discussing that. It’s not an option. We seal the bond when you’re healthy, or we don’t seal it at all. And not sealing it isn’t an option. The longer we wait, the more likely someone will get brave enough to try to take you from me.”

I nodded reluctantly. “What are we supposed to do until then? And why can’t we let our families see me?”

“Well, they can see you. It’s the pack I don’t want involved.”

“Okay,” I agreed. “We’ll just have to meet up with them in the lounge, so your wolf doesn’t lose his shit.”

Enzo agreed, and sent out messages to set it up. Then helped me put on a bra, and walked over with me. He carried most of my weight, but when I told him I wanted to walk, he just put an arm around my waist and helped.

Fletcher walked in right after we got there. He looked exhausted, and I doubted he’d been sleeping enough. I hoped seeing that I was okay would help him rest a little easier.

My parents came after him, and they were both beaming. The magic of her transformation had lifted her skin and made her look younger, somehow. When she started to get emotional, my father and I did too, and we all nearly ended up in tears.

Clay was next, and while he was there, we all video called Hunter so we could see Nova. He still hadn’t left her side. His facial hair was scruffier than I’d ever seen it and his curly hair was more unruly, but he seemed okay. When he turned his camera to show us that Nova was alright, I could breathe a little easier. Sydney was in her room too, and waved when she saw us.

When the call finally ended, Enzo dragged me back to our apartment and made me eat more food. Afterward, he tucked me into bed with him again. I noticed a new iPad mini on his nightstand as he pulled me onto his chest.

“Have you started reading on that too?” I murmured.

“Yup. It’s easier to hold than a book. Especially when I have a pretty little female sprawled out over me.” He kissed my shoulder. “Go back to sleep.”

I mumbled my agreement.

As I fell asleep, my mind wandered, and I found myself asking him softly,

“What’s going to happen after we seal our mate bond?”

Would he have to spend all his time hunting rogues again?

Would I have to get used to being alone all the time?

“I don’t know yet, but I’ll make sure it’s good.” He kissed my shoulder again. “Get some sleep, Princess. You’re safe here.”

The words made my chest warm, and finally I dozed off.

THE NEXT TWO days went by fast, and Enzo didn’t leave my side.

We read books.

We cooked.

Nova still didn’t wake up.

We had sex a few times, but he was a lot gentler than usual. I couldn’t get him to believe that I really was fine, so I just accepted that and enjoyed the temporarily sweeter sex.

The Savages had sent out applications and made an announcement about more human mates being turned after Enzo and I mated. We weren’t sure exactly how it was going to work, but it calmed down the mob and cleared out the forest around the pack’s land for the most part. Seeing proof that two more women had been changed seemed to help, with that.

The evening of the mating ceremony, we finally emerged from our room.

Human women usually dressed in white strapless gowns. They held their ceremonies beneath the full moon in front of a crowd, treating it like a wedding. They traded rings and vows, too.

But for a wolf, taking a mate wasn’t romantic.

It wasn’t sweet.

It was raw. Intense. Consuming.

It was forever.

And I wasn’t human.

I didn’t want a wedding, or a white dress.

If I was going to bite Enzo and let him bite me, binding us together permanently, I wanted to do it in the forest. On our own. Without anyone else watching.

He didn’t care how it happened as long as it did happen.

So, we let our family know that we were going through with the ceremony alone. We could hear the pack talking, and laughing around us as we slipped out of the Lodge and into the forest together. Enzo wore nothing but a pair of jeans, and I only had on one of his t-shirts.

Male werewolves were spread out through the forest as they relaxed beneath the moon. The few who noticed us nodded respectfully. None of their gazes lingered.

As soon as we made it to the edge of the forest, we stripped and let our wolves take over. They ran. Played. Wrestled.

It was fun. Ridiculously fun.

We were both out of breath when they gave up playing and shifted in the middle of the woods. I stumbled into Enzo, and he caught my hips, pulling me in close.

The moon shone down over our bare skin, and he kissed me deeply. His lips were soft and warm, his kiss sweet in a way that made it difficult not to get lost in him.

When I had to pull away to catch my breath, he chuckled.

The sound was real and free, in a way so few things in my life had ever been.

“My wolf loved that,” I said, tipping my head back so I could meet his eyes.

“Mine’s already pushing me to seal the bond so he can get back to chasing her again.”

I smiled, and he kissed me once more. His cock was hard against my hip, his body making me feel absolutely blissful.

My smile faded when he pulled away, his gaze moving slowly over my face. His expression was calm, but serious.

“Are you sure about this, Enzo? Sealing a mate bond isn’t just a wolfish obsession. If we commit, it’s forever,” I said. “It doesn’t seem like there’s another option, but we might be able to find one.”

“I don’t want another option, Princess. Do you?”

No.

I didn’t.

The truth of that hit me harder than I expected, and my heartbeat picked up. “I just want you.”

His lips brushed the curve where my neck met my shoulder, and a beat later, his fangs pierced my skin.

My wolf howled her approval, and mine cut into him too.

White-hot electricity raced over my skin and through my veins. It was followed closely, and intensely, by heat.

Not just warmth—heat, heat.

My body flushed instantly.

Enzo licked the wound clean and grabbed my hips. I gasped out a curse as he hauled me down to the dirt with him, putting me on my hands and knees.

I lifted my ass higher, and he growled his satisfaction as he opened my legs wider and slammed into me, filling me completely.

His fingers worked my clit as he fucked me hard. I came with a scream, and his knot swelled inside me, making the climax longer and more intense.

He drove in deeper, his hands moving over my skin as we found our releases together again and again.

When his knot finally softened, he pulled out and rolled onto his back, tugging me down on top of him. His eyes were gold, but it wasn’t his wolf. It was just Enzo.

“I forgot how good that is,” he rumbled, chest rising and falling harshly.

“No kidding,” I breathed. “But if someone finds us out here, we’re screwed.”

“If someone finds us out here, I’ll kill them and go right back to fucking you. No harm done.” There was no anger behind the words. He didn’t genuinely want to kill anyone for stumbling upon us.

A wave of need rolled over me, and I moaned, arching my hips.

His chest rumbled, and his lips brushed mine.

“Are you ready, Princess?”

“Are you ready, Alpha?”

He chuckled, then filled me again.

My thoughts were quickly and entirely consumed by what I wanted and needed:

Enzo Savage.

The Wolf King.

My mate.

twenty-five

ENZO

HEAT’S INTENSITY had barely started to wane when I heard branches snap in the distance.

Aspen and I weren’t done.

The overwhelm of the rut still pulsed loudly in my mind

My knot was softening, but I would need to take my female again. Soon.

The sound of paws on the ground met my ears.

I could smell a male wolf on the wind. Pack, but not family.

The fucker would die.

My wolf was too far from me, suppressed too wholly by my rut.

I broke a leafy branch off a tree and set it down on Aspen to cover her.

She looked up at me like I was insane.

She was right. The rut had erased whatever small amount of sanity I usually possessed.

I turned, ready to go after the threat—but stopped.

I couldn’t leave her.

Not alone and defenseless. Not when her pheromones would pull him in, make him want her.

She wasn’t safe.

My chest heaved as I faced the bastard.

I could feel the haze of the rut setting in again. My cock throbbed painfully.

Aspen moaned. “Enzo…”

“Someone’s coming,” I gritted out.

The bastard’s paws faltered.

“Please.” She dragged the word out as her hand slipped between her thighs.

I started to move, to turn back to her, but forced myself to stop.

I had to protect her.

Her safety came first.

I clenched and unclenched my fists.

My cock jerked, causing me physical pain with every movement.

I needed her.

I fucking needed her. And she needed me. But—

“Please, Enzo,” she breathed.

I gritted my teeth.

At her words, the wolf skidded to a stop.

He shouldn’t have been able to control himself. Not with her pheromones hitting him.

But he did. He stopped.

Before he turned and ran back in the direction he’d come from.

Thank fuck.

I crashed to my knees, pushing Aspen’s thighs open as I filled her again.

Her cries of relief turned to screams of pleasure as we got off together again, and again.

All thoughts of the other wolf were forgotten.

It was just me and her.

My mate.

Finally.

WHEN WE CAME to our senses and I pulled out for the last time, we were caked in dirt and cum.

“We need showers,” Aspen said, her voice groggy as she dragged a gritty arm over her face. “Did you know that would happen?”

“We wouldn’t have sealed our bond in the woods if I knew that was going to happen, Princess.” I eased her to a sitting position alongside me and sniffed the air.

There had been another wolf there. He was part of my pack, but he hadn’t gotten close enough for me to distinguish his scent.

Yet.

“I have to go hunting,” I said, and panic flashed in her eyes. “Not a rogue. There was someone out here with us. I have to figure out who. We need to know why he didn’t try to attack us when your pheromones hit. He had the sense to turn and run the other way.”

Her panic faded and her forehead creased. “Are you sure he was close enough?”

“I’ll show you where he was, and you can tell me.”

She nodded, and we shifted.

Our wolves didn’t mind the mess on their skin and fur.

They rubbed up against each other, rumbling and snuggling, before they slipped into the forest. My wolf showed Aspen’s the way, and we recognized the scent when we caught it.

Jake.

He must’ve heard my mate’s cries.

That fucker was dead.

“He was close enough that it should’ve pulled him in,” she said. “Simon was much further when it hit him.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

We would.

And then I’d kill him.

My wolf salivated at my mental image of tearing him apart. He was a bloodthirsty bastard even more than I was.

“Do you think it’s because we’re mated?” she asked me, as we ran. There was hope in her voice.

“I don’t know. I can’t focus on anything except killing that fucker.”

“You can’t kill Jake,” she protested. “You… need him to protect me.”

My wolf growled.

“You belong to me, remember?” she asked. “So if I say you can’t kill Jake, you can’t kill him.”

“That’s not how it works, Princess.”

“I’m your mate. That’s exactly how it’s going to work,” she growled back.

Grudgingly, I had to admit that she had a point.

If I wanted her to fall in love with me, I had to let her make some rules. Even if I hated those rules.

I spent the rest of the run back focused on trying to calm my anger. If Aspen wanted me to leave him alive, I had to figure out a way to leave him alive.

twenty-six

ASPEN

ENZO’S WOLF didn’t stop at our room for a shower, despite the filth that we were currently covered in. He ran past the Lodge and around a corner, skidding to a stop when he found a shirtless Jake sitting among a group of other men who were gathered around a firepit.

Jake’s grin vanished when he saw the snarling monster facing him, and it didn’t return when Enzo shifted.

The voices of everyone around the fire quieted.

Jake stood and lifted his hands in the air. “I didn’t know you were out there.”

My wolf didn’t give me control, and I didn’t dare try to take it back. Ending up naked and on my ass in front of all those men definitely wouldn’t help the situation.

Enzo’s chest rumbled with a furious growl.

“Ask him if he felt the rut,” I urged.

He clenched his jaw for a moment but finally gritted out, “Did you feel the effects of her heat pulling you in?”

Jake’s forehead creased. “What effects?”

“Did you feel any lust?” The words sounded physically painful for him to get out.

The crease in Jake’s forehead deepened. “No, man. I didn’t feel anything. When my wolf heard you guys out there, he turned around.”

Holy shit.

Relief hit me so hard, my wolf plopped down on the ground.

“I don’t want to hear any fucking gossip about this,” Enzo managed. “If I hear gossip, you die.”

“Got it, man. Loud and clear.” Jake saluted him, clearly realizing that the imminent danger was past. “Congrats on sealing your bond. That’s a damn good mark you have.” He gestured to Enzo’s shoulder. Enzo contorted his head in an attempt to look. He couldn’t have possibly seen it, but his body position changed. Grew prouder, somehow.

He grunted, the closest he’d give Jake to a thank you.

With that, he grabbed my wolf around the middle and carried her away. She yelped at him, and he said into our mind, “I’m going to have to kill him if I don’t have you in my arms.”

She relaxed.

And licked his face.

It was dirty. Disgustingly dirty. We both were.

If I was the one licking him, I would’ve gagged.

But she seemed fine with it, so I tried not to get too grossed out.

As soon as we were back in our room, she gave him a few more licks to the face, then shifted back. And suddenly, we were alone again.

In our human forms, absolutely filthy, and mated on top of that.

“What do we do now?” I asked, uncertainty creeping in. He was still holding me, but I wasn’t embarrassed. We’d been together too many times for that.

“Shower and sleep. Tomorrow, you should probably turn someone else.”

I could hear how much he hated the idea, but we both knew there was no way around it. If we wanted to keep the peace in Crimson River, I was going to have to turn more people. A lot more.

Enzo carried me into the shower, and I leaned my head against his shoulder. “Thanks for not killing him.”

“I still might.”

“No, you won’t.” I kissed the place I’d bitten him. Where his skin was scarred in two crescents, a perfect replica of the sharp tips of my teeth.

He rumbled in satisfaction.

“Not worrying about heat anymore would be amazing,” I admitted. “We’ll need to test it again next month. Maybe one of your brothers will offer or something.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I wasn’t going to push him.

Even if it took months or a year for him to feel comfortable with it, he would eventually agree.

And if being mated really prevented heat from affecting anyone other than me and Enzo, then I would be free.

Not entirely free. Not while the city wanted me to transform five-hundred-years-worth of women.

But still. Freer than I ever would’ve hoped for.

We stepped under the water, and Enzo held me close while it fell over us. He set me down on my feet, and I leaned against him as he pulled me in.

“My head doesn’t hurt anymore,” he said.

I frowned.

“It always hurt. I let too many people into the pack. With so many wolves going rogue, I couldn’t leave them to lose their minds. I knew I had too many, but my father had more, so I thought I’d be fine. I didn’t put it together until tonight that he could hold them all without pain because of his bond with my mom.”

“You can communicate mentally with everyone without pain now?”

He tried it. “Yeah. Can you feel the pack?”

“I don’t know. What does it feel like?”

“Something wrapped around your skin. Warm. Buzzing. Alive.”

I shook my head. “I just feel like me.”

“Maybe it’ll come later.”

Or maybe it wouldn’t.

I didn’t particularly care either way.

We scrubbed ourselves clean, and I spent extra time on my hair. It was insanely tangled. Enzo had to pick a few leaves out of it, but he thought it was funny.

I did too.

When we finally left the shower, we stumbled into bed and collapsed into each other’s arms.

It was blissful.

I WOKE with a moan as Enzo dragged his tongue over my clit. My fingers buried in his hair as my hips arched, pulling him closer. He licked me slowly. Lazily. Without a care in the damn world.

I shattered quickly, and he kissed me through the orgasm, still slow and sweet.

Panting, I released his hair as he pulled me down the mattress, resting over the top of me.

“Good morning, Princess.”

“What a way to wake up,” I mumbled.

His chest rumbled, and he kissed my cheek. Then my nose. Then my mouth.

I parted my lips, tasting myself on his tongue, and wrapped my arms around the back of his neck. When I hooked my legs around his ass to line us up he stopped me with a hand over my center.

“What are you doing?” I asked against his lips.

“Stopping you from distracting me.”

My forehead creased.

“Clay has had the next couple waiting for us in the conference room since this morning. He won’t get out of my head.”

Oh.

“What time is it?”

“Noon.”

Wow.

My sense of time was totally screwed up after the days I’d spent recovering from turning Sydney and my mom.

“Okay, we can get dressed. You’re really hard, though.”

“That’s not exactly a rarity these days.”

I rolled my eyes at him.

His lips curved upward, just slightly.

“Changing the next woman will knock me out for the next forty-eight hours,” I said. “If they’ve already been waiting half the day, another few minutes won’t hurt. And if you fuck me hard, you can get off fast.”

His eyes gleamed wickedly. “I’ve been trying to be more careful with you.”

“Stop trying. I don’t want careful.” I pulled his hand away from my core, and hooked my heels in his muscular ass. When I pulled him closer, he filled me and fucked me hard.

Just like I wanted.

WE GOT DRESSED QUICKLY when we were done. Since they’d been waiting so long, a shower seemed like too much to ask for. We just cleaned up, threw some clothes on, and headed out.

Enzo’s fingers were intertwined with mine when we made it out of the room, and our arms brushed. Our connection felt so much more real than it ever had before. So much more… settled.

There was no going back.

And even if there had been, I didn’t want to.

I had no idea how we were going to handle the situation with turning more women, but we would figure it out together.

THERE WAS food waiting on the table when we got to the conference room. I noticed Clay nod at Enzo before my Alpha touched any of it.

I wouldn’t have thought anything of the quick interaction before Enzo told me about their past. Now, I knew Clay was confirming that it was safe.

“My mate needs to eat before she turns anyone,” Enzo said, barely bothering a glance at the hopeful-looking couple seated at the table.

I sat down next to the woman, and gave her a small smile. “Sorry about the wait. We sealed our bond late last night, and just got up a few minutes ago.”

“It was no trouble,” the woman said quickly. She was older than my mother—probably in her sixties or seventies. I was curious whether the magic would age her backward a little, like it did for my mom. “Thank you for doing this for me.”

“Of course.”

Enzo set a plate down in front of me and took the chair beside mine. We ate quickly while Clay explained the situation to the couple.

“This is basically an experiment,” he said.

Alarm flashed in the couple’s eyes.

“Not for you,” he clarified. “For Aspen. We’re not sure whether the mate bond between her and our beloved king here has changed how transforming you will affect her.” He gestured to Enzo, who scowled. “The last two times, she passed out during the process and was unconscious for a long while.”

They both looked stunned.

“I’m only telling you this so you’re not surprised if she faints. She’ll probably sit on her mate’s lap when she changes you, just in case,” Clay said.

Enzo made a sound of agreement.

The woman jerked away from him, terror flashing in her eyes.

I supposed that from an outside perspective, he was terrifying. More than six and a half feet tall, made solidly of thick, hard muscle, and with an expression that usually looked angry…

Yeah.

He could definitely pass as terrifying. I could still remember being afraid of him, too.

I guess I trusted him too much to fear him any longer.

That was insane, wasn’t it? I didn’t trust him to stay with me, or to make choices that I would necessarily agree with. But I trusted him to protect me. To be there for me if I needed him.

And that was a big deal.

The door opened as Fletcher stepped inside. There was blood on his hands and face.

The woman started to tremble.

I patted her hand awkwardly. “I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for why he looks that way.”

The daggers I shot in his direction told him there had better be a reason.

He looked at Enzo.

A moment passed before Enzo’s voice brushed my mind. “Another rogue went rabid last night. While you and I were in the forest. Clay’s wolf can’t be trusted to hunt them, and Hunter couldn’t leave Nova. My brothers put him in charge of the hunt, alongside another enforcer to show him the ropes. It went well. They dealt with the threat, and just made it back.”

“What’s wrong with Clay’s wolf?”

“He’s insane.”

Lovely.

I was going to have to ask more questions about that. Many more.

But for the moment, we had something else to worry about.

The couple in front of us.

So, I cleared my throat. “Should we get on with it?”

Fletcher dropped into a seat near to the food, and started wordlessly loading up his plate. Clay tossed him a packet of wipes that must’ve been in his pocket. He was probably used to carrying them around for Enzo’s sake.

“No time like the present,” Clay said, his voice upbeat.

I was starting to think his social skills might be the only reason the city hadn’t already descended into a cesspit of anarchy and murder.

If it did, Enzo would end up as a mafia kingpin or something. I could totally see it.

He lifted me off my chair. My plate wasn’t empty, but I’d put a big enough dent in the food.

When he sat me on his lap, I looked at Fletcher, and found him watching me. His forehead was creased with concern, like usual. I mouthed, I’m fine, and he jerked his head in a nod.

“I’ll need to bite you,” I explained to the woman, and she held out her arm.

Without further ado, I nudged my wolf to the surface. My teeth lengthened as she surged forward, and I felt a connection flare to life between us as my fangs sank into the woman’s skin.

The immediate, sharp pull on my energy was familiar.

The growl from the male behind me, and the surge of his energy flowing into mine, was not.

Our bond was letting him help me. Giving me something to lean on and anchor myself to.

When Enzo’s energy started to wane, I felt an electric wave of something else.

Something new.

Something bigger than either of us or our bond.

I inhaled sharply as the weight of his pack’s connection flooded my veins, held together by the wild electricity of Enzo’s magic.

The woman I’d bitten transformed instantly from a beautiful woman with graying hair to a stunning, unconscious silver wolf.

My chest rose and fell quickly, Enzo’s arms like iron around my waist. I didn’t need him to hold me up, though.

I was fine.

Perfectly fine.

The man was already picking up his mate as he choked back emotion. The look in his eyes made me burn with pride.

I’d done that for them.

Me… and Enzo. And the pack.

Clay led the man out of the room politely, letting them know they were required to stay at the Lodge until after they sealed their bond and promising them a safe place to stay for as long as they wanted it. When they were gone, he closed the door behind them and turned to face us.

“What just happened?” Fletcher asked, his mouth full.

“I felt a tug right here.” Clay tapped the center of his chest.

“Did it hurt?” I asked, still catching my breath.

“No.”

“Barely more than a flick,” Fletcher said.

“I think I tapped into Enzo’s energy when I started to change her,” I said, looking back at him. He jerked his head. “And he tapped into the pack’s.”

“Good thing we have a fucking huge pack,” Clay said, though his eyebrows were raised. “You think you can do that again? Today?”

I nodded. “I think I could do it a few dozen times, if the pack could handle the loss of energy.”

“They’ll be fine,” Enzo said. “It was barely a flick. And the sooner we get a mass number of women turned, the sooner the city becomes safer for you again.”

I nodded.

It would never be fully safe, but we could get close. Close enough, at least.

“I could probably do it without you touching me,” I told Enzo. “You could go back to hunting rogue wolves. The energy came from our bond, not from the place we touched, so—”

“No.” Enzo and Fletcher spoke together.

Neither of them batted an eye at each other. Or even seemed almost surprised that they’d just said the same word, in the same tone, at the exact same time.

“If you’re changing anyone, I’m going to be here,” Enzo said. There was no room for argument in his voice. No space for disagreement. “Someone else will handle the rogues and rabids. Your life is at risk every time you meet with someone who isn’t a part of the pack. Every time you put your own energy on the line to transform someone, too. I’m staying.”

“I’ll do it,” Fletcher said.

I looked at him.

Clay did too.

Enzo was still staring at me, his gaze intense.

“I’m good at it,” Fletcher admitted grudgingly. “The guys all answered to me even though they didn’t know me well. And until the city is at peace enough for Silas to go back to his own pack, I can’t stay here much anyway. Not without risking a fight.”

Clay nodded. “That should work. I already heard from a few of the enforcers that they like you. Hunter might be able to take over when you need a break. I’ll talk to him about it, after Nova recovers.”

“How is she?” I asked.

“She woke up for a few minutes last night. The meds the doctor gave her to keep her temperature down seem to have successfully stopped her heat. And the doctor still wants your blood, by the way.” He looked at me.

I looked at Enzo.

“It’s your choice, Princess.”

I grimaced. “He can come by and take a sample whenever.”

Clay agreed. “Do you want me to find more women today, or do you want to wait until tomorrow?”

“Let’s get on with it,” I said. “If we spend the next few days figuring out how many I can handle turning in a day, we can make a schedule. I think booking them appointments with me will make people feel more secure while they wait.”

“It would. I’ll set up a few more. Give me an hour.” Clay strode toward the door, pointing at Fletcher on his way. “You, come with me.”

Fletcher heaved a sigh. “I need a fucking nap.”

“You’ll get one. Soon.”

They both disappeared, and I climbed off Enzo’s lap.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“Nova,” I said simply, and he took my hand as we slipped out of the room.

Ten minutes later, we were standing in the doorway.

My forehead was scrunched. “Where did they go?”

Enzo didn’t answer me.

I assumed he was talking to his brother mentally.

The doctor stepped out of a connected room, not seeming surprised at all to see us. “She woke up healthy this morning. After I unplugged her from everything, he carried her out. He didn’t tell me where he was headed.”

I looked at Enzo.

“Hunter says he’s going to guard her through heat, and they’ll be back when it’s over.”

“What the hell?” I pulled my phone from my pocket and called Nova. The phone rang a few times before she finally picked up.

“Hey, Wolf Queen.”

“Where are you? What happened?”

“I don’t know where we are. Your brother-in-law is driving like a fucking maniac, and my head hurts too much to read the road signs. He’s convinced that the doctor didn’t actually stop my heat, just delayed it.”

“Is he right?”

“Probably. I already feel warm.” Her answer was grudging. “I’m not going to screw him. He thinks he can control himself enough not to give in to the rut, and says he’ll bring me back after heat is over. So I guess I’ll see you in a few days.”

“Do you want me to come find you?” I asked. “You know I will.”

“I know, but it would be pointless. He’s not going to let me go any more than your Alpha did. I think things will be easier after this, so his wolf can realize that we’re not as compatible as he thinks. My stalker is being quiet for the moment, so that’s good.”

“Alright. Be careful, okay?”

“Mmhm. Be safe. Don’t hurt yourself changing people.”

“I won’t. See you soon.”

She agreed, and we ended the call.

“He won’t let anything happen to her,” Enzo said, dragging a thumb over my knuckles.

“Is he still set on not wanting a mate?”

“Yeah. I don’t think he’s going to change his mind about it.”

Damn.

That was a mess, and something told me it was only going to get messier.

The doctor took samples of my blood, urine, and saliva before we went back down to the conference room to meet the group of mated couples waiting for us.

twenty-seven

ASPEN

TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS and eight-hundred-fifty-three couples later, Enzo and I collapsed in bed together, exhausted.

We were both getting tired of Crock-Pot dinners, but they saved time and energy. Neither of which we had much of.

But Crimson River was alive with new excitement. And new blood, even if it was just altered old blood. Changing people took a lot out of both of us, but there was no one else who could do it. Not like we could.

Even if Nova agreed to mate with Hunter—which seemed highly unlikely, given that they hadn’t even spoken to each other since they got back after her heat—he couldn’t pull on the pack’s energy like Enzo could.

Enzo played with my hair lightly, holding me in his arms. My eyes were already closed, my face pressed against his throat. But he’d been uncharacteristically quiet all day.

“What’s up with you?” I mumbled.

“Nothing.”

I tickled his side, and he swore, trapping my hand against him as he growled, “Princess,”

“Out with it.”

There was a moment of silence before he finally grunted, “You’re still in a tower.”

My forehead creased. “What?”

“I promised you freedom. A job. Space. I haven’t given you any of those things.”

The gigantic bank account with no one’s name but mine on it was proof that he’d upheld that part of our post-mating plan. The shiny, red Hummer he’d bought me was too.

“I’m getting my own freedom by changing women into wolves,” I said. “I have a job. Making more people like me. And I don’t want space from you.”

His chest rumbled unhappily. “It’s not enough.”

“It is enough.”

“It’s not.”

I peeled my face off his skin, propping myself up with my arms. “Enzo,” I said.

“Hmm?”

“It’s enough. You’re enough. You’re all I want.”

He didn’t look convinced.

I wanted him to be convinced. Needed him to be convinced. He was just as drained and exhausted as I was, but he never complained about it. He never asked me to stop. Not unless he could tell that I needed a break before I passed out.

He was always taking care of me. I couldn’t handle him feeling guilty the whole time he did.

Sex had come second since we started changing wolves. Or third, after eating. Or fourth, after sleeping.

Alright, sex wasn’t anywhere near the top of the list. We fooled around a little every morning, but we’d never had time for more than a quickie.

Yet Enzo hadn’t left me.

He hadn’t pushed me.

He wanted me comfortable.

And I wanted him… happy.

The thought surprised me.

What I wanted for him and with him was simpler than I realized. In the beginning, I had wanted him to leave me alone. To let me go home. To let me leave him.

Now, all I wanted was for him to enjoy our life as much as I did. Because I was exhausted, yes, and absolutely wiped out. But I was content. I felt fulfilled by what we were doing. We were making a difference in a way no one else could.

Couldn’t he see that?

Why was he so worried that he wasn’t enough for me?

I decided distraction and physical evidence could function as one and the same in this situation.

So, I rolled off his chest.

He lifted his head, concern in his eyes. “Are you okay?”

I ignored the question.

For at least a few minutes, he was going to stop worrying about me.

I unzipped his jeans, and pulled his cock out as I lowered my mouth toward him.

He growled, the sound low and warning. “Be careful what you start, Princess. You know I’m out of practice when it comes to slow and easy.”

“You were never in practice with that, Alpha.” I dragged my tongue over the underside of his cock, and he swore, his hips jerking roughly. “You’re more than enough for me, in every way. We’re not arguing about it, okay?”

“Okay,” he snarled, as I wrapped my lips around the head of his cock.

“I’m happy with you. I don’t want anything else, or anyone else. Got it?” I asked, pausing as I waited for an answer.

“Got it.”

I licked him again, just to tease him. “And you’re not allowed to question that ever again. Is that a deal?”

“Deal. Fucking deal,” he barked out. “Give me your mouth.”

“One more thing,” I said, and he glowered at me.

My lips curved upward.

“I’m going into heat the day after tomorrow. We’re going to the cabin in the morning, and staying there until the night after heat ends. We’ll read spy books and romance books until we’re tired of it. Clay will reschedule the appointments we’re going to miss.”

“Alright, agreed. Now, are you going to put your mouth on me, or am I going to set you on your hands and knees and fuck you until you scream?” he growled.

I laughed. “I love you, Enzo.”

The words shocked him into silence.

His grip on my hair tightened. “I love you too, Princess. More than anything.”

“I know you do.”

Leaning down, I proved exactly how I felt with my tongue

And my lips.

And my throat.

Until he was bucking wildly, gripping my hair hard as I swallowed his release.

Life with him was perfect.

So, insanely perfect.

The last thing I’d ever expected was to fall for the Wolf King, but now?

I was so damn glad that I did.

epilogue

ENZO—ABOUT A YEAR LATER

“COME ON, PRINCESS.” I pulled Aspen onto my lap. She protested as her plate went askew, and nearly dumped pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns all over the couch. Her hair was damp from the shower, her cheeks still pink from the heat we were recovering from.

“Do you think the pack can survive if we keep taking a trip like this every month?” she asked, brushing a kiss to my cheek as she cut into the pancakes I’d refused to let her help make.

My cum was still leaking out of her, and I wanted it to stay that way for as long as possible. Sitting while I cooked helped with that.

And reading her steamy books would make sure she was good and ready for another round of sex in a few hours. We were busy enough with the pack that we didn’t get nearly as much time alone as we wanted, so when we made it to the cabin for heat, we made sure to get our fill.

“If they can’t, they can pick a new Alpha,” I said, completely serious.

Aspen smiled, but she knew I meant it. She knew me too damn well. Better than my own brothers did.

I wasn’t giving up my monthly escape with her. The first one had been her idea, and we had both been so worn out that we’d repeated it every time heat came around.

Our doctor had proven with science that we didn’t actually need to leave. Her pheromones had been altered by our bond, and only affected me after we mated.

But I didn’t care.

I needed to have her to myself now and then.

I had never bothered to imagine having a mate, but now that I had her, she was everything.

We were equals.

Partners.

It was a fucking dream, but the evidence that it was real was everywhere. In the smiles I couldn’t suppress. The scent of her on my clothes. The decorative pillows that seemed to be spreading like a fucking disease.

I loved all of it. Even the pillows, but only because they smelled like her.

My wolf rumbled, and hers basically purred back. They were just as close as we were.

After we were done eating, we set our plates on the couch beside us. Aspen leaned against me a little more, and I pulled her closer.

“Do you think we’ll ever be done changing women?” she wondered.

“I think it’s going to be at least a part-time job for the rest of our lives.”

It was the truth—unless werewolf numbers started to grow.

A few female werewolves had already given birth since being transformed. Many of them had at least one daughter, and none of the girls had been born as werewolves.

Aspen had received many requests from the mothers, but she refused to change the little girls until they were old enough to make that decision themselves. I supported that, loudly. With my claws, fangs, and power.

No one was trying to convince us otherwise anymore.

We still hadn’t come up with a proper way to determine which unmated women would be given the chance to be transformed, which they were also pissed about. The complication that was heat made unmated female wolves a risk both to themselves and the stability of our society.

We had time to figure it out, thankfully. At the current rate, we still had a year-and-a-half’s worth of mated women to go through, and the number was constantly growing.

It was a headache, but we’d make it work.

“If we ever have a daughter, do you think she’ll be born a wolf?” Aspen asked.

“Yes.” There was no doubt in my mind, or in my voice. My brothers and I were bigger and stronger than everyone else for a reason. We were purebred werewolves. Mine and Aspen’s children would be, too.

I slid my fingers through the soft strands of her hair, tilting her head back so I could kiss the markings my wolf had left on her throat. “I hope the pack rejects me for running away with you this weekend. Think how much easier life would be.”

Aspen laughed. “They love you too much.”

“Probably.”

“Definitely.” She tipped her head back further, and I kissed my way down to her collarbone. “I can’t believe you’re already hard again. You only get hornier the longer we’re together.”

I made a noise of agreement, nipping at the sexy little curve calling my name.

“Okay, okay, just strip me,” she said with a dramatic sigh, and lifted her hands up above her head.

“Yes, Princess.” I tore the fabric over her head, and she grinned before I kissed her.

She was everything to me.

And I would abduct her all over again if I had to.

afterthoughts

So, this book was a surprise.

You’re about to get the long version of this story (not the Lola version, because we all know I usually keep it short and sweet), so strap in.

I started reading werewolf books again a few months before I wrote this. I used to have a real, true obsession. I was a teenager when indie books became a thing, and I kid you not, I read every werewolf book that I could possibly find on Amazon. Well, not the steamy ones. My teenage self would likely be both horrified and impressed by my adult self. But, I digress.

I started reading werewolf books again.

And the obsession reignited.

So, I set out to write the perfect werewolf book for my current self. If you don’t know this about me yet, I write these books for me. Not gonna lie. I love that a lot of you love them too, but I’m writing them because they interest me, and because I can’t find them on Amazon. Perhaps I just suck at Amazoning. The world may never know.

Anyway, during the beginning of this obsession, I started a werewolf book about… I don’t know, three months before I started writing this one? I made it 20k into it, and couldn’t write any more. I get stuck sometimes, but this was like a verified brick wall. Stuck, stuck. And considering my books around that time were around 50/60K words, that was a lot of words. Maybe I’ll go back at some point. We’ll see.

So I wrote a big chunk of a werewolf book, and it crapped out. There were covers made. It felt painful to abandon it. But I was supposed to be writing something else anyway, so I jumped back to that, and refocused.

Then I read more werewolf books.

And I started another new werewolf book, a few weeks ago (from the time I’m writing this, which is likely at least a few months before you’ll read it). It was glorious. I made it 10k in, and…

Yeah, it crapped out too.

I decided my new werewolf obsession only applied to reading books, not writing them. Oh well. I moved on.

But then, an idea came to me.

It was an average Sunday. My six-year-old had been puking the night before. I had been struggling with the book I was supposed to be writing.

And I swear, something lit a fire under my ass.

I threw all the basic info for this book together (I am a discovery writer, so really, my plans are kind of crappish, but fun), and I started writing it the same day.

And wrote.

And wrote.

And wrote.

I had the most productive week of my life (even though I was writing the wrong book). I wrote a book that doesn’t really fit my current brand as much as it probably should for business purposes and is longer than anything I’ve written in the recent past. I wrote a book with a legitimate(ish) asshole in it (round of applause pls, I typically fail at this).

But you know what?

I had a freaking blast.

Anyway. Now that I’ve ranted, and told you a story you don’t care about, and broken endless grammar rules…

I hope you loved this book as much as I do. I hope it’s spurred your werewolf obsession like it has mine.

I really do.

Anyway, I love you. Er, I love that you read this book. Not in a creepy way. I’m just glad I have the freedom to do random crap like this because of you.

So, thank you for reading.

You rock!

All the love,

Lola Glass <3

stay in touch

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all books by lola glass

Check out Lola’s website for an up-to-date book list and a guide to which of her series are set in the same worlds

https://www.authorlolaglass.com/where-do-i-start

True Standalones:

The Wolf King’s Mate

Connected Standalones:

Cub Lake Novellas

Survival of the Mated

Mate Mountain

Wildwood

Deceit & Devotion

Claimed by the Wolf

Forbidden Mates

Wild Hunt

Kings of Disaster

Night's Curse

Outcast Pack

Feral Pack

Mate Hunt

Series:

Burning Kingdom

Sacrificed to the Fae King

Shifter Queen

Wolfsbane

Shifter City

Supernatural Underworld

Moon of the Monsters

Rejected Mate Refuge

about the author

Lola is a book lover with a *slight* romance obsession and a passion for love. Especially love between sassy women and huge, growly magical men;)

When she’s not reading or writing up a storm, she’s hanging out with her husband and two little boys, or baking something sugary that she *probably* shouldn’t eat (but will).